2019 OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES OHIO TRAILS
the VIS ON
2019 OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Division of Parks and Watercraft —I—
TABLE OF CONTENTS From Ohio Governor Mike DeWine...... 1 From ODNR director Mary Mertz...... 2 Foreword...... 3 Executive Summary...... 4 A Note From the Author...... 6 Using the Trails Vision...... 7 Chapter 1: Ohio is A Trail Leader...... 8 Recreational Lands...... 10 Dedicated State Funding...... 10 Ohio’s Diverse and Expansive Trail System...... 10 Multi-Use Trails...... 10 Natural Surface Trails...... 11 Motorized Trails...... 11 Mountain Biking Trails...... 11 Equestrian Trails...... 11 Water Trails...... 11 Dedication of Volunteers...... 11 Chapter 2: Vision, Goals, Findings and Recommendations ...... 12 Developing the Vision...... 13 Goals, Findings and Recommendations...... 16 Partnerships and Collaboration...... 17 Trail Funding...... 18 Trail Development...... 18 Marketing and Promotion ...... 19 Trail Inventory...... 20 Multi-Use Trails...... 21 Natural Surface Trails for Hiking, Running, and Backpacking...... 22 Motorized Trails...... 23 Mountain Biking Trails...... 24 Equestrian Trails...... 25 Water Trails ...... 26 Chapter 3: Creating the Vision ...... 28 ODNR Trail Planning History...... 29 Review of Other State’s Trail Plans...... 30 Trails Advisory Team...... 30 Regional Public Meetings...... 32 Surveys...... 33
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —II—
Summary...... 33 Chapter 4: Results of Public Input Process ...... 34 Regional Meeting Results...... 35 Mapping Exercise...... 37 Trail Survey Results...... 37 Conclusion...... 47 Chapter 5: Partnerships and Collaboration...... 50 Opportunity for State Government Partnerships to Advance Trails in Ohio...... 52 Benefits and Challenges of Partnerships and Collaboration...... 53 How Ohioans are Partnering to Plan Trails...... 54 Conclusion...... 58 Chapter 6: Funding...... 60 Major Funding Sources...... 62 Additional Funding Opportunities...... 65 Conclusion...... 68 Chapter 7: Trail Development...... 70 Planning Trails...... 72 Building and Managing Trails...... 73 Conclusion...... 75 Chapter 8: Marketing and Promotion...... 76 Marketing Goals...... 78 Increase Collaboration and Access to Marketing Expertise and Knowledge...... 84 Protect the Integrity of Trail Experiences...... 85 Chapter 9: Trail Inventory...... 86 ODNR Trail Inventory History...... 87 State Trail Designation...... 89 Chapter 10: Multi-Use Trails...... 90 What is a Multi-Use Trail?...... 92 Description of the Existing Multi-use Trail System...... 92 Current Conditions...... 97 Concerns...... 97 Opportunities...... 99 Conclusion...... 100 Chapter 11: Natural Surface Hiking Trails...... 102 What are Natural Surface Trails for Hiking, Running and Backpacking?...... 104 Description of the Existing Natural Surface Hiking Trail System...... 104 Concerns...... 105
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Opportunities...... 106 Conclusion...... 108 Chapter 12: Motorized Trails...... 110 What are Motorized Trails?...... 111 Description of the Existing Motorized Trail System...... 113 Current Conditions...... 113 Concerns...... 114 Opportunities...... 115 Conclusion...... 116 Chapter 13: Mountain Biking Trails...... 118 What is a Mountain Biking Trail?...... 120 Description of the Existing Mountain Biking Trail System...... 121 Current Conditions...... 122 Concerns...... 123 Opportunities...... 124 Chapter 14: Equestrian Trails...... 126 What is an Equestrian Trail?...... 128 Description of the Existing Equestrian Trail System...... 128 Current Conditions...... 129 Concerns...... 129 Opportunities...... 132 Upgrade Trailhead and Camping Facilities ...... 132 Conclusion...... 132 Chapter 15: Water Trails...... 134 What are Water Trails?...... 136 Description of the Existing Ohio State-Designated Water Trail System...... 136 Current Conditions...... 136 Concerns...... 137 Opportunities...... 137 Conclusion...... 140 Chapter 16: Conclusion...... 142 Acknowledgements...... 144 Appendix...... 146
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources FROM OHIO GOVERNOR MIKE DEWINE
We have so much to see and do in Ohio, and our thousands of miles of trails are part of what makes our state special, unique, and wonderful.
Ohio’s trails are a passport to some of the state’s most scenic locations. They provide a way to escape the stresses of everyday life and enjoy our natural wonders.
The 2019 Ohio Trails Vision serves as a framework to manage and promote our trails, and I appreciate the efforts of everyone involved in this project, with special thanks to Senator Sean O’Brien, Senator Steve Wilson, and the Ohio Trails Partnership.
I also invite Ohioans to experience our wonderful trails firsthand. Whether it’s walking, biking, hiking, or horseback riding, our trails provide opportunities to enjoy the beauty of Ohio and take in the wonders of our natural resources.
Mike DeWine Governor FROM ODNR DIRECTOR MARY MERTZ
Ohio’s extensive system of trails is a gateway to exploration of our state’s abundant and diverse natural resources. Our trails bring people together, provide alternative transportation routes, promote healthy living, and have a significant positive impact on our economy – influencing home-buying decisions and serving as travel destinations for people in and out of our state. I am proud of Ohio’s extraordinary trail system.
Meeting the recreational and destination needs of a wide range of trail users requires partnership and planning at multiple levels. Jumpstarting that process, State Senators Steve Wilson and Sean O’Brien created the Ohio Legislative Trails Caucus, which became a catalyst for an updated statewide trails plan. I thank them for their leadership and passion for Ohio’s trails.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources was committed to the success of this plan and creating it in collaboration with trail enthusiasts across the spectrum. The result is the 2019 Ohio Trails Vision, a comprehensive framework to guide partnerships today and in the future for trail development, connectivity, and maintenance throughout the state.
Broad participation by trail supporters, users, advocates, and recreation providers, along with the state and local government officials, was invaluable. My thanks to the Ohio Trails Partnership, whose persistence was key to realizing the trails plan update. I appreciate your time and effort; without it, this plan would not have come to fruition.
I am proud of the collaboration between ODNR and the Trails Advisory Team. While listening to and considering so many public comments, you brought to the table your years of trails experience and developed a dynamic trails plan that will serve Ohioans well into the future.
In all that we do at the ODNR – from planning new trails to restoration of endangered species – we achieve our mission of protection and wise use of Ohio’s natural resources through sound science, with integrity, and respect for those whom we serve.
Mary Mertz Director FOREWORD
Ohio is blessed to have an extensive trails network of more than 5,000 trail miles. From the Ohio to Erie Trail, which spans more than 326 miles from Cincinnati to Cleveland, to the 1,400-mile Buckeye Trail that reaches into every corner of the state.
Preserving and expanding our trails is incredibly important as they provide a multitude of benefits for the citizens and communities throughout Ohio. In addition to promoting good health and boosting local economies, trails draw people together. They allow friends and families to step away from televisions and computers to share an outdoor experience together.
In early 2017, we were approached by several trail advocacy groups interested in improving and expanding Ohio’s already impressive trail system. In response, we co-founded the Ohio Legislative Trails Caucus (OLTC), the nation’s first-ever bipartisan, bicameral state-level legislative caucus dedicated entirely to trails and the environment.
The goal of this caucus was, and is, to bring together like-minded legislators who can work at the state level to advocate for trails and do all they could to support trail development and connectivity throughout Ohio.
Our colleagues at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) have been invaluable and enthusiastic partners on this journey. Notably, the department took immediate steps to address the OLTC’s two priorities: the launch of a new Ohio trails website, trails.ohiodnr.gov, achieved in 2018 during “Ohio’s Year of the Trail.” The second was a long overdue update of the statewide trails plan, which you now hold in your hand: The 2019 Ohio Trails Vision.
We in the OLTC are proud of all the work that went into producing this document. While the publishing of the plan is an achievement in and of itself, the Ohio Trails Vision identifies additional areas for progress. We look forward to continuing our work with our OLTC colleagues, the ODNR, the Ohio Department of Transportation, TourismOhio, and others to make the Buckeye State the best place in America to live, work, and raise a family.
State Senator Sean O’Brien State Senator Steve Wilson Co-Chairman Co-Chairman (D-Bazetta) (R-Maineville) —4—
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —5—
The Ohio Trails Partnership (OTP), a group of non-motorized trail advocates and managers, successfully worked with State Senators Sean O’Brien and Steve Wilson to establish the Ohio Trails Legislative Caucus in 2017. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) was invited to participate in a series of meetings designed to advance trails in the state. Working with the OTP and caucus, ODNR committed to creating a new plan that would promote and advance public recreational trails throughout Ohio. This Ohio Trails Vision is the result of that commitment.
Recreational trails are extremely popular in Ohio. Communities across the state are planning and building trails to provide residents with more opportunities to live healthy, active lifestyles. The strength of the state’s trail system is the diversity of experiences it offers, with systems available for bicyclists, walkers, runners, hikers, paddlers, equestrians, motorized users, and more.
To create the Ohio Trails Vision, ODNR assembled an ad hoc Trails Advisory Team comprised of 24 trail advocates, planners, managers and users from across the state. This team crafted the Ohio Trails Vision statement and eight visionary goals to help guide the trail system. This vision and goals will help advance Ohio as a destination for recreational trails.
The team also helped formulate the public input process and assembled findings and recommendations to help implement the vision. During June and July in 2018, 290 trail constituents provided feedback at five public meetings held around the state. The online survey, which ran from late August through October, received more than 7,600 responses.
Several themes emerged from the public outreach effort. Partnerships and volunteer groups have been key to establishing and managing Ohio’s trails. While communities are developing plans for trails across the state, the availability of dedicated funding to maintain the existing trails and build new trails has not yet caught up with the demand. Also, better marketing of Ohio’s existing trail opportunities is an excellent way to enhance their impact. Finally, it is critical to ensure that Ohio’s trails connect people and communities as well as provide needed amenities.
The vision has been established and now the work begins to meet the goals set forth in this document. Key recommendations will continue facilitating meetings of the Trails Advisory Team to help prioritize and implement the findings and recommendations. ODNR is committed to continuing its work to inventory trails across the state, which will be used to track progress toward reaching the goals.
Through a collaborative effort, with state and local government, trail managers, trail advocates and trail users working together, Ohioans can create a world-class trail system.
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
It has been my honor to lead on behalf of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the production of the 2019 Ohio Trails Vision plan. In doing so, I’ve had the opportunity to work with numerous trail groups, advocates, and users – all of whom are passionate about the benefits of having a world-class trail system in our great state. Their input and dedication was invaluable; without it this vision plan would not have been possible.
The Ohio Trails Vision is a document that helps set the future for Ohio’s recreational trails. A Trails Advisory Team used extensive public input to formulate goals, findings, and recommendations to help advance trails in the state. These recommendations establish a framework for state government to work with communities, land managers, trail advocates, trail volunteers and trail users. While many excellent trail opportunities are mentioned, it is not intended to be a user guide to Ohio’s trails. To learn more about trail opportunities in Ohio, please visit trails.ohiodnr.gov.
Tom Arbour
Land & Water Trails Coordinator ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft —7—
USING THE TRAILS VISION
This plan is for anyone interested in trails in Ohio, from community trail developers and users, to those seeking to understand the future of trails in our state.
Chapter 1 gives background on how Ohio is a trail leader. Chapter 2 contains the vision statement, all goals, and all findings and recommendations that are found throughout the rest of the document. If you have time to read one chapter, start with chapter 2. If you need more specific information for a goal or finding and recommendation, refer to the corresponding chapter in the body of the document.
Chapter 3 provides the methods used to develop the document, and Chapter 4 gives results of the public input process. These are critical chapters to help understand how input was gathered and to better understand the results.
Chapters 5 through 8 provide information that applies to all types of trails in the state. If you are interested in how to partner with others, fund trails, develop and manage trails, and market trails, you will find valuable information in these chapters.
Chapter 9 outlines ODNR’s responsibility for keeping and maintaining an inventory of trails. If you are interested in providing trail data to the statewide trail database, you will learn more in this chapter.
The remaining chapters of the document provide more specific information for six different trail types. Findings and recommendations are presented for multi-use trails, hiking trails, motorized trails, mountain biking trails, equestrian trails and water trails. If you are interested in any of these trail types, these chapters provide more depth to address distinct needs and considerations for trail users.
Throughout the document, there are findings and recommendations. While these findings and recommendations were targeted to help guide future work of the Trails Advisory Team, they were written in a general sense to assist and guide anyone looking to develop, manage and improve recreational trails.
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —8—
OHIO IS A TRAIL LEADER CHAPTER 1
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —9—
Leading the Way
When the Ohio Department of Natural Resources convened its first Trails Advisory Team meeting in April 2018, trail planners, managers, users and advocates from across the state came together to create a new vision for Ohio’s trails. At that first team meeting, participant shared how important trails have become to their local communities over the last 20 years. As ODNR trail planners held public meetings and gained input from nearly 300 people in person and more than 7,600 people via an online survey, it became clear that Ohioans are passionate about their trails. Ohioans see how trails stimulate local economies, enhance quality of life, offer recreational opportunities and provide safe transportation alternatives.
The State of Ohio has a multitude of trails that are both treasured by local communities and serve as a destination for people traveling to Ohio. What most defines Ohio as a trail leader is the diversity of trail types offering experiences for everyone. Trail advocates highlighted the following statewide opportunities throughout the planning process as examples of Ohio’s world-class recreational opportunities.
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —10—
RECREATIONAL LANDS DEDICATED STATE FUNDING Per state law, Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 1545, the establishment of local park districts Ohio is fortunate to have a dedicated funding resulted in the creation of locally operated source for trails through the Clean Ohio Trails agencies across the state. These park districts Fund, which routinely awards more than $6 provide a multitude of close-to-home million annually for trail corridor acquisition, recreational opportunities, including countless trail development, and trailhead facilities. miles of trails for Ohioans to enjoy.
Ohioans have demonstrated strong OHIO’S DIVERSE AND partnerships and collaborations to manage EXPANSIVE TRAIL trails across boundaries; notably local SYSTEM governments working with land management The Trails Advisory Team has identified six agencies and the public to create significant major categories of trails: Multi-Use, Natural trail networks. Surface Trails, Motorized, Mountain Biking, ODNR, through its Division of Parks and Equestrian, and Water. Following are just a Watercraft, Division of Natural Areas and few examples that demonstrate how Ohio Preserves, and the Division of Forestry, provide is already a trails leader. With a coordinated more than 1,600 miles of recreational trails for effort of trail planners, managers and hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, running, users working together, Ohio can continue horseback riding and recreational vehicle to maintain and create world-class trail riding. opportunities
The Wayne National Forest features more than 300 miles of trails for hiking, recreational MULTI-USE TRAILS vehicle riding, horseback riding, and mountain Communities across Ohio are making the local biking. investment in multi-use trails in recognition The Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers of the many benefits they bring to residents. over 125 miles of trail, including the Ohio and Examples of popular multi-use trails running Erie Canal Towpath, the Buckeye Trail and through communities include: mountain biking trails. The Ohio to Erie Trail, primarily an off-street Ohio’s conservancy districts (ORC 6101) recreational multi-use trail, runs 326 miles manage thousands of acres of lands and from the Ohio River in Hamilton County to Lake waters across the state, offering numerous Erie in Cuyahoga County. recreational opportunities. The Miami Valley region in southwest Ohio is home to the nation’s largest paved trail network, anchored by the Little Miami Scenic Trail that runs from Cincinnati to Springfield.
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —11—
NATURAL SURFACE MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAILS TRAILS
The Buckeye Trail is Ohio’s official hiking trail, Over the last 20 years, Ohio’s mountain biking completing a 1,400-mile loop that circles the opportunities have greatly expanded. The state state. Approximately 60 percent of the trail is currently has at least 450 miles of public mountain complete. Working with Wayne National Forest, biking trails. Ohio is home to the Mohican the Buckeye Trail Association is developing a Mountain Bike Trail, which has been designated 90-mile continuous stretch of natural surface as an EPIC trail by the International Mountain trail that will become a backpacking destination Bicycling Association. The EPIC trail designation only 1 hour from the Columbus metro area. denotes true backcountry experiences that are technically and physically challenging as travel The 4,600-mile North Country National Scenic destinations for mountain bikers. Trail, a national scenic trail designated by Congress, runs through Ohio from New York to North Dakota. For most of its 1,006-mile EQUESTRIAN TRAILS route through Ohio, it shares a route with the With more than 1,600 miles of trail available Buckeye Trail. The City of Dayton has been to equestrians, Ohio is a known destination designated by the Buckeye Trail Association for riders from other states. In particular, the as the largest trail town along its route in trails at Hocking State Forest have become a recognition of its support to both the trail and nationally known destination. trail users. WATER TRAILS MOTORIZED TRAILS Since the creation of ODNR’s water trail program Ohio has a dedicated state recreational vehicle in 2006, the state has designated and funded 11 fund that is used to expand recreational-vehicle water trails across Ohio. The Great Miami River use on state lands funded by registration of Watershed Water Trail, Ohio’s only nationally all-purpose recreational vehicles. While Ohio’s designated water trail by the U.S. Secretary of motorized trail system is small compared to the Interior, contains 117 public access points surrounding states, the system is improving, along 291 miles of the Great Miami, Stillwater and opportunities exist to expand these types and Mad rivers in southwest Ohio. of opportunities. This can be done by adding trail mileage and visitor amenities such as DEDICATION OF upgraded camping and better access to local VOLUNTEERS communities for supplies and fuel. Ohio’s trail system has developed with the critical help of volunteers providing the vision and stewardship for trails of all types, working in conjunction with government, the business community, nonprofit organizations, and foundations throughout the state.
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VISION, GOALS, FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS CHAPTER 2
Photo Courtesy of Wayne National Forest
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DEVELOPING THE VISION
To develop a vision for Ohio’s trails, ODNR convened the Trails Advisory Team consisting of trail planners, managers, users and advocates from across the state. At the first meeting, the team put together the vision for the future of Ohio’s recreational trails. After discussion and refinement, the team agreed the following statement represents the continued desire for Ohio to be a leader in recreational trails.
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —14—
THE OHIO TRAILS VISION
OHIO IS A LEADER IN PROVIDING SUSTAINABLE TRAILS
FOR ALL USERS, OFFERING AN EXTRAORDINARY
NETWORK OF WORLD-CLASS RECREATION AND
TRANSPORTATION OPPORTUNITIES LINKING
COMMUNITIES, PEOPLE AND PLACES WHILE
STIMULATING ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL VITALITY.
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Trails Leader World-Class
It is important to recognize that Ohio is Trail planners and managers should implement already a trail leader and seeks to expand its best management practices to ensure the trails leadership role by continuing the construction we build and manage are truly world-class of world-class trail opportunities for all users. opportunities.
Sustainable Recreation
Ensuring that Ohio’s trail system is sustainable Trails are extremely popular forms of outdoor is vital to it’s long-term success. First, the trail recreation. They allow Ohioans to observe and system must be environmentally sustainable. connect with nature, have fun, exercise, relax Trails enhance our enjoyment of nature and and improve health and wellness. cultural resources and they should be planned in a way that has the least impact on these resources. Second, it is equally important Transportation the trails Ohioans build are financially Trails are increasingly used as alternative sustainable. Will the trail receive the desired forms of transportation and communities capital maintenance and improvements in across the state are recognizing this and the future as it degrades under normal use? making the investments in trails. One of the Will the resources be available to ensure trails largest funding sources for building trails are operated and maintained in the best way in Ohio comes from the Federal Highway possible? A sustainable system is critical for Administration’s transportation alternatives Ohio to remain a trail leader. program administered by the Ohio Department of Transportation. All Users
Ohio’s trail system must be able to Stimulating Economic and accommodate and be easily accessible to Social Vitality all residents. It should also be welcoming to Trails provide both economic and health visitors traveling to Ohio to use our extensive benefits, stimulate local economies and trail system. provide opportunities to improve the health and wellness of Ohioans. Connected Network
Ohio’s trail system must be unified in a way that connects trails of all types together in a large network that crosses political and jurisdictional boundaries.
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —16—
GOALS, FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
After the Trails Advisory Team met to create a vision for Ohio trails, the team created an overall goal for Ohio’s trail system and then a goal for each of the six Ohio trail types identified as opportunities that are available across the state.
Overall Goal: Provide a trail experience within 5 miles of every Ohioan.
If all Ohioans can live within the relatively short distance of 5 miles to access a trail, Ohio will provide outstanding trail experiences for its residents and visitors. ODNR will continue to monitor the development of trails and inventory all types of trails so that the attainment of this goal can be measured over time.
OVERALL GOAL: PROVIDE A TRAIL EXPERIENCE WITHIN 5 MILES OF EVERY OHIOAN.
Photo Courtesy of Cleveland Metroparks
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —17—
Responsibility Implementing to provide a trail experience within five miles of the Vision Goals every Ohioan.
The Director of ODNR is tasked with creating the statewide vision for Ohio’s recreational PARTNERSHIPS AND trail system. This plan is intended to stimulate COLLABORATION a strategic approach for creating a system of trails by all levels of government, trail Importance of Partnerships organizations and trail users. All public trails Finding: Partnerships are essential to that are planned and developed in Ohio are developing successful trails. part of the statewide trail vision. It is through a collaborative effort, working throughout the Recommendation: Continue to encourage state across all trail types, that Ohioans can trail managers to work with as many together realize the vision of Ohio as a leader partners as possible, including all levels of in providing world-class recreational trails. government, trail advocates, trail users, other trail managers, and private industry and The findings and recommendations presented businesses. in this chapter are key to achieving the Ohio Trails Vision and associated goals. In order to prioritize and implement the recommendations, State Government ODNR and the Trails Advisory Team are Coordination committed to regular meetings. Finding: There is a need for a more coordinated approach across the appropriate Trails Advisory Team state agencies regarding all types of trails.
Finding: While Ohio has been very successful Recommendation: Create a cross-agency in developing a trail system since the creation working group that meets several times a year of the last Ohio trails plan in 2005, many of the to discuss how state government can work recommendations in that plan are still valid together to ensure progress toward meeting today and were not implemented. the goals of the Ohio Trails Vision.
Recommendation: Continue to hold regular meetings of the Trails Advisory Team and Volunteers maintain the recently created trails coordinator position to help prioritize and implement the Finding: Volunteers play an important role in recommendations of the Ohio Trails Vision. all aspects of trails of every type.
The following findings and recommendations Recommendation: Develop guidelines and apply to trails of all types in Ohio and are best management practices for the creation grouped by the chapter they appear in the of volunteer programs that allow volunteers document. When prioritized and implemented, to more easily work across land management each of these findings and recommendations boundaries. will help Ohio realize the vision and overall goal
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —18—
TRAIL FUNDING TRAIL DEVELOPMENT
Funding a Statewide Trail Trail Corridor Acquisition System Finding: The capacity is not present at the Finding: To realize the Ohio Trails Vision, more local level to act in a timely fashion to acquire dedicated funding for all trail types will be corridors for trail development. required. Recommendation: Explore ways to strengthen Recommendation: Explore ways to increase the abilities of trail developers to acquire dedicated trail funding for both multi-use, corridors and properties for trails. natural surface and water trails of all types.
Ability to Develop Trails Trail Reconstruction and Finding: Large communities have the expertise Capital Improvements and resources to plan, design, fund and build Finding: Dedicated funding for trail trails, while smaller communities have fewer reconstruction and capital improvements is resources to do the same. limited. Recommendation: Explore ways to increase Recommendation: Explore dedicated funding trail building ability in smaller communities. options for capital improvements for all types of trails. Trail Guidelines
Finding: There is a need to establish statewide Trail Operations and guidelines and best management practices Maintenance for the design, construction, operations and Finding: Funding for trail operations and maintenance of trails of all types in order to maintenance is limited. provide a better experience for trail users.
Recommendation: Explore ways to increase Recommendation: Work with the Trails opportunities to fund trail maintenance and Advisory Team to explore the development of operations for all types of trails. statewide trail guidelines.
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —19—
Strategies for Diversity Brand and Market Ohio Trails
Finding: Trails are underserving members of Finding: Trail users find it challenging to find minority and low-income communities. needed information statewide about Ohio’s trails. Recommendation: Develop strategies to engage a more diverse user base for Ohio’s Recommendation: ODNR will continue trails and develop new trails in underserved development of a website with the intent of areas. producing an easy-to-use and resourceful interactive map of all Ohio trails, a calendar of trail events and linkages to destination User Conflict marketing organizations for each trail Finding: When different types of trail uses experience. intersect, conflict arises between trail users. Separate trails for separate use is preferred. Statewide Trail Marketing Recommendation: Develop educational Plan opportunities for trail uses of all types that Finding: The state lacks a consistent way to articulate appropriate trail use and behavior. market its trails. MARKETING AND Recommendation: A data-driven statewide PROMOTION marketing plan for Ohio’s trails should be produced. This marketing plan should address trail use from a broad perspective, including Trail Use Surveys economic development and public health. Finding: Better scientific trail-user data is needed; particularly data identifying characteristics of users based on trail type, Trail Towns economic impact, overall enthusiasm, and Finding: The trail town concept has been used exploration of what would enhance trail to connect communities with trails, users and experiences. businesses to promote growth and economic vitality. Recommendation: Implement a standardized trail user survey platform that can be used by Recommendation: Establish an Ohio Trails trail managers, as well as statewide groups, Town program that provides a process for determining year-round marketing and for recognition and guidelines for best experience development opportunities and management practices for recognition of challenges. communities that support world-class trails and provide resources to people interested in exploring new business opportunities catering to trail users.
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —20—
Cross-Training Trail Managers TRAIL INVENTORY and Travel Professionals
Finding: There is not widespread collaboration Local and Regional Planning between people who manage trails and those Efforts who promote communities. Finding: An increasing amount of communities Recommendation: Develop workshops are engaging in trail planning. These efforts are for trails managers, destination marketing led by local park districts, local government and organizations and businesses that demonstrate regional planning bodies. the economic potential of trails. These Recommendation: ODNR will continue to workshops also should teach communities gather local trail plans and integrate them into to create and market recreation experiences the state trail inventory and plan. that meet the expectation of trail users. Incorporate these learning opportunities into existing conferences and educational events ODNR Trail Inventory by coordinating efforts between the trail and travel economy communities. Finding: The 2005 Trails for Ohioans plan featured an inventory of current, proposed and planned trails, which quickly became outdated. Trail Sustainability Recommendation: Going forward, ODNR will Finding: Any effort to increase trail use must maintain an online interactive map of current be accompanied by sustainability measures to and proposed trails that is based on publicly protect the resources, as well as the integrity of supported and published plans generated from the trail experience for future users. local communities.
Recommendation: Provide resources and best-practices training for trail managers Standards for Trail Data on sustainability and protection of the trail experience. Finding: Trail managers are using various methods of mapping and inventorying trails across Ohio.
Recommendation: ODNR will lead an effort to help create a minimum set of trail data standards so local and regional datasets can be more easily compiled, integrated and shared.
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —21—
State Trail Designation Emerging Trends
Finding: Since the passage of Ohio Revised Finding: Novel personal transportation Code 1519 legislation in 1972, which gives options, including electronic scooters, bicycles, the Director of ODNR the authority to skateboards, monowheels and hoverboards designate state trails, very few trails have been that provide alternatives to walking and designated. bicycling, are presenting new opportunities and challenges to trail managers and users. Recommendation: Explore the options that come with official state trail designation by Recommendation: The trail planning process ODNR. needs to continue to respond to emerging trends to help guide planning and policy that maximizes the benefits new technology provides, helps mitigate unintended consequences and ensures coordination In addition to the findings and recommendations and consistency across land management that apply to all trails, the Trails Advisory Team boundaries. developed goals and subsequent findings and recommendations for six individual trail types: Priority Corridors MULTI-USE TRAILS Finding: Priority corridors for the statewide multi-use system need to be established. Goal: Provide a connected multi-use trail Recommendation: Establish a broad-based network that links every county in Ohio. statewide task force of multi-use trail planners, Multi-use trails, also known as shared use funders, advocates and developers to establish paths, greenways or bike trails, are hard- criteria for priority corridors. surfaced trails designed for bicyclists, walkers, runners and other pedestrians. These trails form the backbone of our state trail system. Multi-Use Trails for Active The visionary goal presented by the Trails Transportation Advisory Team imagines an Ohio where Finding: Multi-use trails are now seen as one every county is connected via a multi-use trail part of a network of active transportation network. If fully implemented, this trail network options in communities. would truly establish Ohio as a destination for multi-use trail users. Recommendation: Trail plans should include on-street bike lanes, protected bike lanes, The following findings and recommendations side paths, shared-lane markings, and other are key in order to realize the goal for multi- active transportation infrastructure when trail use trails: construction is not feasible.
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —22—
Opportunities for Funding Natural Surface Coordination of Funding Hiking Trails Agencies Finding: Natural surface hiking trails are very Finding: Trail developers use multiple sources popular, highly used and desired. of local, federal and state funding to build multi-use trails. Recommendation: Explore ways to provide more dedicated funding to support the Recommendation: Explore ways to increase development and maintenance of sustainable coordination and understanding of the roles natural surface hiking trails. of ODNR, ODOT and metropolitan planning organizations in planning, funding and developing multi-use trails. Long Distance Hiking Trails Corridor Acquisition NATURAL SURFACE Finding: Significant stretches of the Buckeye TRAILS FOR HIKING, Trail and North Country Trail utilize road RUNNING, AND corridors. BACKPACKING Recommendation: Expand and create Goal: Provide a natural surface hiking trail additional backpacking opportunities by in each community in Ohio. identifying priority gaps, preserve existing corridors and fund corridor acquisition for these Goal: Work to complete the Buckeye Trail long-distance natural surface hiking trails. and the North Country National Scenic Trail.
Natural surface trails are important for Backpacking Amenities connecting Ohioans to nature and wildlife. Finding: While Ohio has several natural surface Nature trails, longer day hiking trails and backpacking opportunities, the established overnight backpacking trails offer ways for trails need more camping opportunities and Ohioans to explore our natural heritage. key amenities in strategic areas. Providing nature trails and day hiking experiences for all Ohioans enhances the daily Recommendation: Trail and land managers lives of residents, while backpacking trails should work together with backpackers have the potential to bring travelers to Ohio to develop camping opportunities and for overnight stays. With the development of a other amenities in strategic locations along nature trail in every Ohio community and the backpacking trails. completion of two major backpacking trails, Ohio would become a destination for natural surface trail users.
The following findings and recommendations are key to realize the goals for natural surface trails:
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —23—
Nature and Wildlife are currently no public trails available to full- Observation size off-road vehicles. While that trail type is not addressed in this goal, this opportunity Finding: Natural surface hiking trails are how is further discussed in the motorized trail many people experience nature and wildlife chapter. in Ohio. The development of natural surface hiking trails is a tool to aid conservation on a The following findings and recommendations larger scale. are key in order to realize the goal for motorized trails: Recommendation: Ensure dedicated land conservation initiatives like the Clean Ohio Greenspace program continue to provide Rules and Regulations additional natural surface hiking trail Finding: The two major public motorized trails opportunities. providers (the ODNR Division of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service) have different rules and MOTORIZED TRAILS regulations.
Goal: Provide at least two destination Recommendation: Continue the working quality motorized trail experiences group established between the two agencies for motorized recreational vehicles and the motorized community to create better with overnight amenities and expand alignment. regional trail opportunities for motorized recreational vehicle users. Acceptance While Ohio has public trails for recreational Finding: While there is high demand for motorized vehicles today, there is great increased motorized trail opportunities demand from motorized users for more from owners of vehicles, there is also strong access to public lands in Ohio. Motorized trails opposition from non-motorized trail users. are defined as those used by owners of all- terrain vehicles (ATV), including four-wheelers, Recommendation: Create a forum that wide off–highway vehicles (OHV) and off- brings together users from all sides of the road motorcycles. Trail users would like the issue to develop possible solutions to increase length of trails expanded and the overnight motorized opportunities in the state while amenities improved so these areas could be minimizing impacts to the environment, wildlife considered destinations in order to compete and existing recreational uses. with opportunities in adjacent states. The current trail systems are concentrated south and east of Columbus. Having more regional opportunities across the state would also enhance Ohio’s motorized trail system. Finally, the Trails Advisory Team recognizes that there
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —24—
Needs of Users MOUNTAIN BIKING Finding: The current motorized trails lack the TRAILS desired connections to overnight facilities, length and varying difficulties, and access Goal: Provide at least four destination to local communities to become destination quality trails that qualify for the quality trails. International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) EPIC Designation and Recommendation: Encourage trail developers two communities that are designated as to consider unique needs to motorized IMBA Ride Centers. users when designing trail systems for motorized users. They should work with The International Mountain Biking Association local municipalities to designate or permit (IMBA) has recognized one Ohio trail, the legal routes to the desired amenities utilizing Mohican Mountain Bike Trail, as an IMBA EPIC infrastructure such as township, county and trail. The EPIC trail designation denotes true state routes. backcountry experiences that are technically and physically challenging as travel destinations Finding: Motorized trail users are increasingly for mountain bikers. IMBA’s Ride Centers are a demanding wider trails to accommodate more encompassing designation that considers “side by sides” and Utility Task Vehicles the range of mountain biking opportunities (UTVs), or more narrow, single-track trails to available in a community. With the development accommodate off-road motorcycles. of four IMBA EPIC trails and at least two Ride Centers, Ohio would be transformed into a Recommendation: Encourage the destination for mountain biking. development of trails that are designed for wider motorized vehicles and narrower single- The following findings and recommendations track trails. are key to realizing the goal for mountain biking:
Off-Road, 4x4, Full-Size Access to Public Lands Vehicle Trails Finding: While a shift over the past 20 years Finding: Ohio has no public trails that has occurred statewide with land managers accommodate full-size off-road 4x4 vehicles. becoming more accepting to mountain biking as a recreational opportunity, the mountain Recommendation: Institute a working bike community would like increased access to group of land managers and user groups to public lands. investigate the potential for public off-road full- size 4x4 vehicle trails in Ohio. Recommendation: Create a forum that brings together mountain bikers and land managers to promote the development of sustainable mountain bike trails. This could help change the perception that mountain biking has a high impact on the landscape.
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —25—
Diversity of Trail Experiences equines and people who do not own equines. and Connectivity Recommendation: Where users must •• Finding: Current mountain bike trails in share common areas with other users, add Ohio offer similar experiences that cater signage to educate the public about the risks to intermediate rather than entry level or associated with equines and proper trail advanced rider abilities. etiquette.
•• Recommendation: Land managers and local communities are encouraged Trail Sustainability to explore opportunities to develop Finding: Much of the equestrian trail system in introductory and advanced skill Ohio was not planned and was not constructed building experiences that are preferably using sustainable methods. connected to existing bicycling infrastructure. Recommendation: Encourage land managers to assess equestrian trails to determine if EQUESTRIAN TRAILS they can be redesigned and upgraded to have less impact on the landscape and require less Goal: Provide and improve destination quality maintenance. equestrian trails throughout the state.
Ohio has an excellent equestrian trail system. Camping and Trailhead However, it was clear during the planning Facilities process that equestrian trail users would like to Finding: Ohio is a destination for equestrian see the amenities associated with these trails trail users, however, equestrians would like the improved across the state. Improving camping amenities to be upgraded on existing trails. facilities, parking and restrooms are all critical to ensuring our equestrian trails continue to be Recommendation: Explore the possibilities a destination. The trails at Hocking State Forest of upgrading day-use trailheads and the and Mohican-Memorial State Forest are the overnight amenities of equestrian trails across most popular destinations for members of the the state. Ohio Horseman’s Council, a group of members advocating for equestrian trails statewide.
The following findings and recommendations are key to realizing the goal for equestrian trails:
Sharing Equestrian Trails
Finding: There is great concern from equestrians regarding interactions between
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —26—
WATER TRAILS Marking Permanent Hazards Finding: Lowhead dams and other permanent Goal: Increase the total mileage of hazards remain a threat to the safety of designated water trails in the state to 1,200 paddlers. miles. Recommendation: Ensure that all permanent Ohio is fortunate to have beautiful river hazards on the state’s dedicated water trails corridors that provide world-class recreational are adequately marked with signage both opportunities. As of 2018, ODNR had upstream and downstream warning paddlers designated more than 650 miles of these about lowhead dams. streams as 11 state water trails. When a stream becomes a water trail, communities along the river work together to identify Awareness all public access points and permanent Finding: While recreational paddling has hazards, and then the communities share this nearly quadrupled since 2006, users are information with the public via hazard signage, unaware that Ohio has designated specific brochures and online maps. Additional waterways across the state that make up a opportunities for water trail development water trail system for recreational paddling. include the Ohio, Cuyahoga, Tuscarawas, Sandusky and Hocking rivers and the shoreline Recommendation: Develop a marketing tool of Lake Erie. With 1,200 miles of water trails, that is widely distributed across Ohio that Ohio would become a destination for paddlers. highlights each state water trail.
The following findings and recommendations are key for realizing the goal for water trails: Water Trail Improvement
Finding: The desired amenities for water trails Paddling Conditions have become more robust since Ohio’s water trail program began. Finding: Recreational paddlers are increasingly in need of more information to help plan their Recommendation: Examine each water paddle excursions based on environmental trail created since the program’s inception conditions. and make recommendations for potential upgrades of the trail. Recommendation: Develop a pilot system on a state water trail to help paddlers decide if river conditions match their skill level.
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —27—
From the Survey– “I love our trails, we are very fortunate to have such amazing park systems. I’m looking forward to the years ahead as the trails continue to be improved & maintained!”
Photo Courtesy of Metroparks Toledo
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —28—
CREATING THE VISION CHAPTER 3
Photo Courtesy of MORPC
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —29—
ODNR TRAIL PLANNING HISTORY
ODNR has held the responsibility for creating a comprehensive plan for the development of a statewide trails system since the Ohio General Assembly passed amended Senate Bill 247 and it was signed the legislation into law by Governor John J. Gilligan on July 21, 1972. The law (ORC 1519) mandated ODNR to publish the first state trails plan by 1975. With the publication of the plan, entitled “Ohio Trails,” ODNR aimed to establish trail policies and implement a trails program at all levels of government statewide.
Trail planning came to the forefront once again when the Ohio General Assembly voted to place a proposal on the November 2000 election ballot to create the Clean Ohio Trails Fund, which included a $25 million appropriation for recreational trails. The legislature noted that funding from the new Clean Ohio Trails Fund must be in “synchronization with the statewide trails plan.” With the ballot’s passage, ODNR commenced the creation of a new trails plan and in 2005 published this plan, titled “Trails for Ohioans - A Plan for the Future.” The plan quickly became out-of-date as communities planned more trails across Ohio than identified in the plan.
In 2017, the Ohio Trails Partnership, –a group of trail advocacy organizations, including the Buckeye Trail Association, Rails to Trails Conservancy, Ohio Horseman’s Council, American Canoe Association and the Central Ohio Mountain Bike Organization,– successfully lobbied the Ohio legislature to create the bi- partisan Ohio Legislative Trails Caucus. Chaired by Senator Sean O’Brien and Senator Steve Wilson, the caucus met for the first time in spring 2017. The caucus created goals, one of which was to pass a concurrent resolution to declare 2018 the “Year of the Trails in Ohio.”
Another goal set by the caucus was to update the 2005 state trails plan. Since ODNR is given this responsibility by ORC 1519, the agency committed to updating the plan in 2018. The ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft created a new administrative position, the trails coordinator, in September 2017 to develop the plan.
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —30—
REVIEW OF OTHER organizations, park districts and the leadership STATE’S TRAIL PLANS of the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association were also invited to join the advisory team. One of the first tasks was to review the 2005 The Trails Advisory Team first met in April 2018. Ohio plan and trail plans published by other ODNR trail planners presented the background states to focus on overall concepts that should research and presented the intended scope of be included in Ohio’s plan. Most plans were the trails plan. The focus of the meeting was created primarily by the state’s department of to develop the Ohio Trails Vision. During its natural resources staff, based heavily on public May meeting, the team focused on developing input. Many states chose to gather a group of goals for each of Ohio’s six major trail types. trail planners, managers, and other invested Additionally, the basis for the upcoming entities to provide insight and input. regional public meetings was reviewed, as well After review of the plans of other states, the as preliminary questions and content for the following focus areas were defined: 1) Trail online public survey. maintenance and funding for maintenance; The team’s July meeting focused on input 2) Partnerships and assistance from other received during five regional public meetings agencies, including state agencies, local that took place in June and early July. Statistics, entities, nonprofit organizations, volunteers, results and comments were presented for the etc.; 3) Signage and maps; 4) Trail gaps and team to discuss. The team further developed networks; 5) Funding; 6) Events, including the public survey questions. The final meeting meetings, conferences, workshops, etc. for trail of the team took place in early October where planners/managers; and 7) Marketing. ODNR the team reviewed the 7,602 survey results. representatives presented these findings to ODNR staff outlined the plan’s content as the Ohio Legislative Trails Caucus for their provided by the advisory team and developed feedback early in the planning process. The a draft of findings and recommendations. next step was to create a Trails Advisory Team. The Trails Advisory Team was an instrumental TRAILS ADVISORY group of trail experts who provided essential TEAM approaches and insight to creating the best possible statewide trails plan for Ohio. They ODNR, the Ohio Trails Partnership (OTP) and provided important, valuable input through the Ohio Legislative Trails Caucus determined this collaborative process. ODNR thanks the that an advisory team consisting of Ohio’s following members of the team for their trail leaders should be in place to guide the assistance in developing the Ohio Trails Vision. planning process. In addition to OTP member organizations, ODNR invited additional representatives from areas and organizations not represented in the OTP. Representatives of motorized trail users, metropolitan planning
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —31—
Trails Advisory Team
Organization Name
Ohio Horseman’s Council Tom Green
Central Ohio Mountain Biking Organization Dan Fausey
Tuscarawas River Canoe and Kayak Race Mary Jo Monte-Kaser
Ohio Motorized Trails Association Tom Cowher
American Motorcyclist Association Marie Wuelleh
Buckeye Trail Association Andrew Bashaw
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Eric Oberg
ODNR Office of Real Estate and Land Management D’Juan Hammonds
ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft Tom Arbour
ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft Alissa Belna-Muhlenkamp
ODNR Division of Forestry Nate Jester Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Office of Statewide Andrew Shepler Planning and Research ODOT Office of Program Management Caitlin Harley
Ohio Travel Association Melinda Huntley National Park Service Rivers Trails and Conservation Assistance Rory Robinson Program National Park Service Rivers Trails and Conservation Assistance Andrea Irland Program U.S. Forest Service – Wayne National Forest Chad Wilberger
Cleveland Metroparks Isaac Smith
Five Rivers MetroParks Amy Dingle
Ohio Parks and Recreation Association / Stark Parks Bob Fonte
Metroparks Toledo Allen Gallant
Ohio to Erie Trail Lisa Daris
Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission Melinda Vonstein
Green Umbrella-Tri-State Trails Wade Johnston
Cleveland Metroparks
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —32—
REGIONAL PUBLIC The meetings began with a presentation by MEETINGS ODNR and National Park Service trail planners. Afterward, meeting attendees were asked to A series of five regional public meetings do two things. First, they were asked to provide were held throughout Ohio in June and July. their written concerns, opportunities, and These meetings were strategically hosted at recreational resources they utilize. Second, locations allowing Ohioans the opportunity to they were asked to examine large maps of attend a meeting and voice their thoughts and Ohio’s trails, add any significant trails that concerns. Trail planners, builders, managers, were missing, identify opportunities for new advocates and users attended the meetings. recreational trails and draw connections for The dates, locations and number of attendees an expanded statewide trail system. The trail for the meetings are listed below. meetings were well attended and served as excellent networking opportunities for trail
Northwest Oak Openings Preserve Metropark– Buehner Center Northeast (Whitehouse) 64 District 3 Wildlife Office 52 (Akron)
T S A TH RS A
58 Central T S A Alum Creek State Park – Horace Collins Laboratory 64 53 (Delaware)
T S A TH RS A Southeast District 4 Wildlife Office (Athens)
Southwest - Attendees Caesar Creek State Park – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Visitor Center (Waynesville)
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —33— advocates and planners to discuss the future ways. The link to the online survey was sent of trails in their region and statewide. This via email to all the regional public meeting information was invaluable to help create this attendees using the information provided on plan. More information about the meeting the sign-in sheets at those meetings. The Trails attendees, including the names of the more Advisory Team also took on the task of sharing than 100 organizations represented, can be the link with their colleagues and networks. found in the appendix. Social media, e-newsletters and a link on the homepage of the ODNR website also played SURVEYS important roles in spreading the word. A total of 7,602 trail users completed the survey. Several months of preparation went into creating the content for the online public SUMMARY survey. The Trails Advisory Team was consulted to ensure the online survey was designed to When ODNR planners initially met with obtain the most important information from members of the Ohio Trails Partnership, the trail users. Ultimately, the team created several group expressed concern regarding the level questions that helped better understand the of public input used to create the 2005 state feedback we received in the regional meetings. trails plan. From the outset, ODNR determined While anyone could take the survey, the that public participation, led by an advisory questions were targeted to obtain feedback team of trail leaders across the state, would be from trail users. important for the development and ultimate success of this plan. This plan was shaped by The online survey was implemented through the advisory team and informed by thousands Survey Monkey and was available to the public of Ohio’s trail users, planners, builders, from August 24 through October 31, 2018. It managers, and advocates. was distributed and publicized in a variety of
From the Survey– “Thank you for creating this survey. Hiking and exploring in nature is very important for us and our future generations.”
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —34—
RESULTS OF PUBLIC INPUT PROCESS CHAPTER 4
Photo Courtesy of Richard T. Bower and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —35—
This chapter summarizes the public input gathered during the five regional meetings and public online survey.
REGIONAL MEETING RESULTS
More than 290 trail stakeholders attended the in-person regional public meetings. They provided feedback on trail priorities, challenges they have encountered, and the resources they utilize when planning, building, maintaining, and using trails. ODNR planners thoroughly read every response and organized the feedback into several themes for each question.
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —36—
What are your priorities for What are your challenges in Ohio’s trail system? working with trails in Ohio?
Responses were classified into one of 11 Several priorities were also listed as challenges. themes, listed in no particular order: Building local political and public support for developing trails is a challenge in areas where trails are not already well-established. Smaller •• Need for trail-specific amenity communities lack the resources and expertise improvements, such as camping, maps, compared to larger ones to plan, develop and signage, parking and trash receptacles. manage trails. •• Concerns regarding conflict between trail users. •• Need for trail-specific amenity improvements like camping, maps, •• Acquiring and protecting trail corridors. signage, parking and trash receptacles. •• Need for more trails that are accessible •• Concerns regarding conflict between trail to all. users. •• Importance of partnerships and •• Acquiring and protecting trail corridors. collaborations. •• Need for better maintenance of trails. •• Desire for a trail system that is more interconnected. •• Building and maintaining partnerships. • • Ensuring trails are sustainably built in an •• Need for better information about Ohio’s environmentally and culturally sensitive trails. manner.
•• Need for better maintenance of trails. Challenges that were not listed as priorities:
•• Importance of trails for transportation. •• Building political and public support for •• Trails as economic development trails. opportunities. •• Finding money to fund trails. •• Need for better information about Ohio’s • trails. • Capacity to plan, build and maintain trails.
•• Maintaining safety on trails.
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —37—
What resources do you use MAPPING EXERCISE when planning, building, maintaining and using trails? The mapping exercise provided new information on dozens of trails across the Responses were categorized into two themes: state that did not exist in ODNR’s Ohio trail resources for developing trails and resources database. The mapping exercise also offered for finding information about trails. a wealth of information on current and Funding, Partnerships and Collaborations planned trails of all types. Several trail planners provided their contact information and instead of drawing planned trails on the maps, •• Community engagement they sent electronic geographic information •• Federal, state and local grants system (GIS) datasets to ODNR planners to be compiled into the Ohio trail database. The •• Community foundations information will be published as an interactive •• Local chambers of commerce web map and updated as new trails are planned and constructed. •• Regional planning commissions •• Private businesses TRAIL SURVEY •• Corporate sponsorships RESULTS
•• Trail advocacy organizations Working with the Trails Advisory Team, ODNR created a public survey to gain input from trail •• Volunteers users. A total of 7,602 individuals completed •• Volunteers with specialized skills: the survey. An overall theme of the survey architect, planner, attorney is that trail users in Ohio use many different types of trails, and a single individual is likely to use many different types of trails. Trail Information Following are the questions we asked, and the •• Websites and such as All Trails, the Hiking responses we received. Project and Trail Link
•• Buckeye Trail Association’s Trail Town Program
•• Ohio Dept. of Transportation brown directional road signage
•• Trail advocates’ websites
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —38—
Question 1. Question 2. Please indicate How important are trails to how many times per YEAR your daily life? you participate in the following trail activities?
The answers to this question helped refine the types of trails that are the most used by the survey respondents. The results presented are summarized by trail activity.
The trail participation question was also used to determine how frequently each survey SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT SOMEWHAT respondent participated in each trail activity.
SO IMPORTANT NOT ALL IMPORTANT AT NOT Hiking, walking and bicycling on hard-surfaced trails were the trail activities done the most
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT EXTREMELY IMPORTANT VERY frequently, with 43 percent, 34 percent and 21 percent of participants in these activities doing them at least 30 times a year. Other activities This question was asked to determine how where users participated in the activity more important recreational trails are to the survey than 30 times a year were running (13 percent), respondents. The respondents viewed trails as equestrian trail riding (12 percent) and important, with 82.34 percent indicating trails mountain biking (10 percent). are extremely important or very important to their daily lives. This finding confirms the survey reached Ohioans that use trails and find them very important.
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —39—
Percent of Survey Respondents who Particpate in Selected Trail Activities
HIKING OTHER ATV/UTV WALKING RUNNING PADDLING
EQUESTRIAN MOTORCYCLE BACKPACKING SNOWMOBILE
MOUNTAIN BIKING
CROSS-COUNTRY SKING 4X4/FULL-SIZE OFF-ROAD
BICYCLING (HARD-SURFACE)
Percent of Survey Respondents who Particpate in Selected Trail Activities more than 30 times a Year
HIKING OTHER ATV/UTV WALKING RUNNING PADDLING
EQUESTRIAN MOTORCYCLE BACKPACKING SNOWMOBILE
MOUNTAIN BIKING
CROSS-COUNTRY SKING 4X4/FULL-SIZE OFF-ROAD
BICYCLING (HARD-SURFACE)
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources SHARED USE PATH - HARD SURFACE SATISFIED
NEITHER SATISFIED NOR DISSSATISFIED
DISSATISFIED
I DON’T USE THIS TRAIL TYPE
EQUESTRIAN TRAILS SATISFIED
NEITHER SATISFIED NOR DISSSATISFIED
DISSATISFIED —40— I DON’T USE THIS TRAIL TYPE
Question 3. How satisfied are WATER TRAILS you with the following types SATISFIED of trails in Ohio? NEITHER SATISFIED NOR DISSSATISFIED Survey respondents who use multi-use trails and natural surface trails for hiking, DISSATISFIED walking and running are the most satisfied. I DON’T USE THIS TRAIL TYPE Backpackers, equestrians and water trail users are moderately satisfied. Users that show the MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAILS least amount of satisfaction are mountain SATISFIED bikers and motorized trail users. Motorized NEITHER SATISFIED trail users were the least satisfied with the NOR DISSSATISFIED trail systems in Ohio, demonstrating the gap DISSATISFIED between demand and availability of trails for motorized vehicles. I DON’T USE THIS TRAIL TYPE
NATURAL SURFACE TRAILS SATISFIED
NEITHER SATISFIED NOR DISSSATISFIED
DISSATISFIED
I DON’T USE THIS TRAIL TYPE
SHARED USE PATH - HARD SURFACE BACKPACKING TRAILS SATISFIED SATISFIED
NEITHER SATISFIED NEITHER SATISFIED NOR DISSSATISFIED NOR DISSSATISFIED
DISSATISFIED DISSATISFIED
I DON’T USE THIS TRAIL TYPE I DON’T USE THIS TRAIL TYPE
EQUESTRIAN TRAILS MOTORIZED TRAILS SATISFIED SATISFIED
NEITHER SATISFIED NEITHER SATISFIED NOR DISSSATISFIED NOR DISSSATISFIED
DISSATISFIED DISSATISFIED
I DON’T USE THIS TRAIL TYPE I DON’T USE THIS TRAIL TYPE
WATER TRAILS SATISFIED
NEITHER SATISFIED NOR DISSSATISFIEDThe Ohio Trail Vision 2019
DISSATISFIED
I DON’T USE THIS TRAIL TYPE
MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAILS SATISFIED
NEITHER SATISFIED NOR DISSSATISFIED
DISSATISFIED
I DON’T USE THIS TRAIL TYPE
NATURAL SURFACE TRAILS SATISFIED
NEITHER SATISFIED NOR DISSSATISFIED
DISSATISFIED
I DON’T USE THIS TRAIL TYPE
BACKPACKING TRAILS SATISFIED
NEITHER SATISFIED NOR DISSSATISFIED
DISSATISFIED
I DON’T USE THIS TRAIL TYPE
MOTORIZED TRAILS SATISFIED
NEITHER SATISFIED NOR DISSSATISFIED
DISSATISFIED
I DON’T USE THIS TRAIL TYPE —41—
Question 4. Why do you use Ohio’s Trails? Check all that apply.
Nature observation was the most popular reason for using trails (85 percent), followed by having fun (84 percent), exercise (82 percent), relaxation (82 percent) and health and wellness (78 percent). While only 13 percent of survey respondents said they use trails to travel and commute, this result demonstrates the increasing role that trails play in providing a form of alternative transportation. Gaining access to fishing and hunting sites, wildlife observation areas and nature photography were frequently mentioned by users who provided additional written comments.
RELAX OTHER
EXERCISE HAVE FUN BE ALONE
OBSERVE NATURE EDUCATE MYSELF TRAVEL/COMMUTE CHALLENGE MYSELF DEVELOP NEW SKILLS EXPLORE NEW PLACES HEALTH AND WELLNESS BUILD OUTDOOR SKILLSACTIVITY WITH MY DOG... ORGANIZED TRAIL EVENTS SPEND TIME WITH FAMILY...
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —42—
Question 5. What keeps you LACK OF TRAILS from using Ohio’s trails? Check all that apply. LACK OF TIME The top five reasons selected were there are not enough trails (43 percent), a lack of time (42 percent), trails are too far away (35 TOO FAR AWAY percent), family responsibilities (23 percent), and lack of information (21 percent). FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES Some of these factors correlate with each other. While trail managers have limited ability LACK OF INFORMATION to influence the behavior of trail goers, they can provide more easily accessible trails and improve the ways they reach out to the public. TRAILS IN POOR CONDITION
When this same question was asked during the 2005 trails plan survey, “there are not enough OTHER trails” was only the fourth most popular response. In the 2018 survey, this reason came TRAILS ARE TOO CROWDED to the forefront as the No. 1 reason Ohioans are not using trails. This finding may reflect the increasing desire for motorized trails in the LACK OF AMENITIES state. When considering only motorized trail users who took the survey, 61 percent of this TRAILHEADS UNEASY TO ACCESS subgroup selected “there are not enough trails” as being a reason that keeps them from using Ohio’s trails. FRIENDS DO NOT PARTICIPATE
TRAILS ARE UNSAFE
POOR HEALTH
TRAILS ARE NOT ADA ACCESSABLE
PARTICIPATION COSTS TOO MUCH
LACK OF TRANSPORTATION
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —43—
Question 6. Regarding trails able to access them in 15 minutes or less, in Ohio, about how long does followed by backpacking trails (13 percent can it take you to access each access in 15 minutes or less) mountain biking type of trail? trails (12 percent can access in 15 minutes or less), equestrian trails (11 percent can access It’s not surprising to learn the most used trails in 15 minutes or less) and motorized trails (3 in Ohio are also the closest to the survey percent can access in 15 minutes or less). respondents. Fifty percent of the respondents who use multi-use trails can access them in 15 minutes or less, while 47 percent of natural surface trail users who walk, hike or run can access them in 15 minutes or less.
Interestingly, water trails are the next most accessible trail type with 18 percent of users
MOTORIZED TRAILS
BACKPACKING TRAILS
SHARED USE PATHS USER ACCESS OF TRAILS IN NATURAL SURFACE 15 MINUTES TRAILS OR LESS BY TRAIL TYPE
EQUESTRIAN TRAILS
MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAILS WATER TRAILS
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —44—
Question 7. How close do you Question 8. What is your live to any type of trail? favorite Ohio trail?
Fifty-seven percent of the respondents This question gave trails users the opportunity answered that they live within 5 miles of to identify their favorite Ohio trail. any type of trail. This question was asked as Demonstrating the passion for trails in Ohio, one potential measure of reaching the goal 5,720 respondents answered this question. that all Ohioans be within 5 miles from a Every type of trail was mentioned, showcasing trail experience. Seventy-five percent of the the diversity of Ohio’s trail system. Statewide respondents live within 10 miles of a trail, while trails that were named frequently included the 88 percent of respondents live within 20 miles Buckeye Trail, Ohio to Erie Trail, Ohio and Erie of a trail. Canal Towpath and Little Miami Scenic Trail. Respondents also named numerous local trails offered by park districts, local government parks, state and national forests, state parks, state nature preserves, conservancy districts and Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
18% LESS THAN ONE MILE
38% 1-5 MILES
18% 6-10 MILES
12% 11-20 MILES
12% MORE THAN 20 MILES
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 SHARED USE PATH - HARD SURFACE DO NOT MAKE FUTURE INVESTMENTS REDUCE INVESTMENT
INVEST THE SAME INVEST MORE
INVEST MUCH MORE
NO OPINION
EQUESTRIAN TRAILS DO NOT MAKE FUTURE INVESTMENTS REDUCE INVESTMENT
INVEST THE SAME INVEST MORE
—45— INVEST MUCH MORE NO OPINION
Question 9. Regarding trails WATER TRAILS in Ohio, how should future DO NOT MAKE FUTURE INVESTMENTS investment be made in the REDUCE INVESTMENT following types of trails? INVEST THE SAME INVEST MORE Users were asked to rank how investments INVEST MUCH MORE should be made in seven different types of trails. Regarding natural surface trails, 61.8 NO OPINION percent of the respondents believed that MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAILS natural surface trails for walking, hiking and DO NOT MAKE FUTURE INVESTMENTS running should receive more or much more REDUCE INVESTMENT funding, while 51 percent felt the same about INVEST THE SAME multi-use trails. Backpacking trails received INVEST MORE the third most support for increased funding, INVEST MUCH MORE followed by water trails, mountain biking trails, NO OPINION equestrian trails and motorized trails. NATURAL SURFACE TRAILS DO NOT MAKE FUTURE INVESTMENTS REDUCE INVESTMENT
INVEST THE SAME INVEST MORE
INVEST MUCH MORE
NO OPINION
SHARED USE PATH - HARD SURFACE BACKPACKING TRAILS DO NOT MAKE FUTURE INVESTMENTS DO NOT MAKE FUTURE INVESTMENTS REDUCE INVESTMENT REDUCE INVESTMENT INVEST THE SAME INVEST THE SAME
INVEST MORE INVEST MORE
INVEST MUCH MORE INVEST MUCH MORE
NO OPINION NO OPINION
EQUESTRIAN TRAILS MOTORIZED TRAILS DO NOT MAKE FUTURE INVESTMENTS DO NOT MAKE FUTURE INVESTMENTS REDUCE INVESTMENT REDUCE INVESTMENT INVEST THE SAME INVEST THE SAME
INVEST MORE INVEST MORE
INVEST MUCH MORE INVEST MUCH MORE
NO OPINION NO OPINION
WATER TRAILS DO NOT MAKE FUTURE INVESTMENTS REDUCE INVESTMENT
INVEST THE SAME Ohio Department Of Natural Resources INVEST MORE
INVEST MUCH MORE
NO OPINION
MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAILS DO NOT MAKE FUTURE INVESTMENTS REDUCE INVESTMENT
INVEST THE SAME INVEST MORE
INVEST MUCH MORE
NO OPINION
NATURAL SURFACE TRAILS DO NOT MAKE FUTURE INVESTMENTS REDUCE INVESTMENT
INVEST THE SAME INVEST MORE
INVEST MUCH MORE
NO OPINION
BACKPACKING TRAILS DO NOT MAKE FUTURE INVESTMENTS REDUCE INVESTMENT INVEST THE SAME
INVEST MORE
INVEST MUCH MORE
NO OPINION
MOTORIZED TRAILS DO NOT MAKE FUTURE INVESTMENTS REDUCE INVESTMENT INVEST THE SAME
INVEST MORE
INVEST MUCH MORE
NO OPINION —46—
Question 10. How important Question 11. How important to you are the following trail to you are the following trail priorities? amenities?
Survey respondents indicated that building Survey respondents indicated that on-trail more trails was the most important trail maps and signage were the most important priority, followed by increased funding for trail amenities, followed by parking, restrooms, trails, making it easier to find information about trash receptacles and drinking water. trails, improving maintenance and upkeep, and Amenities considered less important by addressing gaps in destinations. The lowest the survey respondents included shopping, priorities were making trails more accessible grocery stores, restaurants and activity-specific to people of all physical abilities, improving specialty stores. trail amenities and improving safety. A total of 731 respondents listed “other” priorities. Many of these responses addressed user conflicts on the trail, support for and/or opposition to ON-TRAIL MAPS AND SIGNAGE motorized trails and the need for specific trail amenities. PARKING RESTROOMS
TRASH RECEPTACLES DRINKING WATER BUILD MORE TRAILS CAMPING INCREASE FUNDING INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE
MAKE IT EASIER TO FIND PICNIC AREA/SHELTER INFORMATION ABOUT TRAILS IMPROVE BENCHES MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP ADA ACCESSIBILITY CLOSE GAPS AND CONNECT DESTINATIONS FUEL LODGING BETTER SIGNAGE AND WAYFINDING PLAYGROUNDS UPGRADE EXISTING TRAILS ACTIVITY-SPECIFIC SPECIALTY STORE
PROVIDE BETTER ACCESS TO TRAILS RESTAURANTS
GROCERY STORE INCREASE COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIPS SHOPPING IMPROVE SAFETY
IMPROVE TRAIL AMENITIES
MAKE TRAILS ACCESSIBLE TO PEOPLE OF ALL PHYSICAL ABILITIES
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Question 12. Please share any CONCLUSION other comments regarding Ohio’s trails: ODNR planners assembled the feedback from A total of 1,738 respondents took the the public meetings and online survey and opportunity to freely share information about presented it to the Trails Advisory Team. The Ohio’s trails. The responses ranged widely, and team used this information to produce many each response was read. ODNR sampled the findings and recommendations that should responses and grouped them into the following be further explored to meet the Ohio Trails categories. By far, the most often commented Vision. Those findings and recommendations aspect of Ohio’s trails was the opposition or are presented and explained in further detail support for expanded motorized trails. During throughout this document. the survey period, the ODNR Division of Forestry put forward three proposals for the expansion of motorized trails on state forests that likely increased the amount of comments both for and against motorized trail expansion.
Mentioned Most Frequently: •• Opposition and support for expanded motorized trail opportunities in the state. Also Mentioned: •• Need for trail-specific amenity improvements, like camping, maps, signage, parking and trash receptacles. •• User safety. •• General praise for the trail system in Ohio. •• Need for more trails of a specific type, often in a specific geographic region. •• Use of volunteers to maintain trails. •• Concerns regarding conflict between trail users. •• Desire for a trail system that is more interconnected. •• Need for better maintenance of trails. •• Need for better information about Ohio’s trails. •• Need for trails more accessible to all.
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —48—
From the Survey– “Love Ohio’s trails and would love to see them continue to improve!”
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Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —50—
PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATION CHAPTER 5
Photo Courtesy of Adam Schweigert and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
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Partnerships and collaborations are strategic alliances that achieve greater impact than can be generated individually. Partnerships are relationships, whether legally binding or informal, which set out clearly defined guidelines to achieve expected results. Collaboration is a cooperative process in which many trail users with varied interests work together to find creative solutions for problems.
Both partnerships and collaboration are important to developing successful trails. Whether working across jurisdictional boundaries or between agencies and departments, leveraging the benefits of cooperation allows the best possible experiences for trail managers and users. Partners are empowered to work together on a common cause, developing broad-based support for ideas that are more likely to be implemented.
Consider the development of trails from start to finish – the visionary plan for a trail or trail system, land acquisition, construction, maintenance, improvements, educational programming and events. There are many opportunities to partner that allow trail managers, planners and users to effectively create world-class trail systems. Partnerships and collaboration are essential for the best possible future for Ohio’s trails.
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Importance of Partnerships OPPORTUNITY FOR Finding: Partnerships are essential to STATE GOVERNMENT developing successful trails. PARTNERSHIPS TO ADVANCE TRAILS IN Recommendation: Continue to encourage OHIO trail managers to work with as many partners as possible, including all levels of Several agencies at a statewide level have government, trail advocates, trail users, other interests in promoting trails, including ODNR, trail managers, as well as private industry and Ohio Dept. of Transportation (ODOT), the Ohio businesses. Dept. of Health, and TourismOhio. Improved collaboration between the appropriate state agencies would benefit future trail efforts. A cross-agency working group that would meet several times per year could discuss how state government can work together, more efficiently and effectively, to ensure progress toward meeting the goals of the Ohio Trails Vision.
State Government Coordination
Finding: There is a need for a more coordinated approach across the appropriate state agencies regarding all types of trails.
Recommendation: Create a cross-agency working group that meets several times a year to discuss how state government can work together to ensure progress toward meeting the goals of the Ohio Trails Vision.
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BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES OF PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATION
Benefits Challenges
There are many benefits of trail partnerships, Common challenges include: including:
•• Overcoming deeply held beliefs, •• Allowing for new perspectives and mutual organizational culture and different learning. personalities.
•• Creating a sense of shared ownership •• Partnerships can form, but no one is helps better manage future conflicts. willing to take the lead.
•• Establishing new connections with the •• Different sizes, capacities and skillsets can public and private industry can increase make it challenging for organizations to community involvement. partner.
•• Providing opportunities to bridge •• Different partners may have different traditional divides between public and priorities. private land management. •• Information and standards are different •• Ensuring public lands are managed in an between partners. inclusive way. •• Communication can be difficult. •• Increasing influence by strengthening and • expanding programs and services. • Sacrificing local needs for the development of a larger trail system •• Streamlining operations to gain outside an organization’s jurisdiction. efficiencies. •• Competition for similar funding sources. •• Achieving greater leverage among stakeholders to build awareness or advocacy.
•• Addressing complex issues that require coordinating multiple stakeholders.
•• Expanding into new places and reach new users.
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HOW OHIOANS ARE Funding PARTNERING TO PLAN Funding for all phases of trail development TRAILS and management is a major concern for trail planners. Multiple sources are often used Presented below are several ways Ohioans to fund one project, as there are grants and are partnering and collaborating to advance monies available from a many of sources: trails. At least one example of an established, The federal government, state government successful partnership is provided for each (ODNR and ODOT), nonprofit organizations, theme. These examples are provided to help foundations, and local private businesses trail managers, advocates and users forge new (hospitals, corporate entities, etc.). This partnerships across Ohio. variety of funding can be complicated by different guidelines, matching funds, timelines, Trail Planning and project eligibility. Partnerships and collaborations can leverage dedicated funding, Collaborations and partnerships are critical creating opportunities that are usually viewed to establish when planning a trail. When positively by funders. federal, state and local governments work together with the private sector and trail Example: Richwood Lake Trail users, the resulting trail system will better The small village of Richwood in Union County connect communities with a network of had a dream to improve a dirt path around trails that cross jurisdictional boundaries. a lake and connect three schools, a senior Without collaboration, trail planners risk center and all existing park facilities with a missing opportunities to connect important paved multi-use trail. To realize this vision, destinations, leverage funding, and share village officials worked with residents and valuable experiences and resources. the Union County Health Department to Example: Cuyahoga County Greenways receive a grant of technical assistance from the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails and This collaborative of local and regional Conservation Assistance program. Together, agencies and organizations in Cuyahoga they strategically pieced together multiple County is working to facilitate communication, sources of funding from ODNR, Creating keep focus and drive a regional trails effort. Healthy Communities, Clean Ohio Green Space The group is raising the visibility of trails and Conservation Fund, the state capital budget, prioritizing funding methods and actions to private foundations, and generous in-kind complete a network of trails used for both donations to design and build the 1-mile trail active transportation and recreation. The system that could not have been possible partners are working in collaboration to without partnership and collaboration. develop more than 500 miles of multi-use trail opportunities in the county.
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Programming Example: Buckeye Trail Association
The implementation of programming is key to The Buckeye Trail Association (BTA) relies on reaching a trail’s full potential. Partnering with hundreds of volunteers to assist with many other land managers, local businesses, and efforts on the Buckeye Trail. Buckeye Trail community groups to take advantage of their adopters are each responsible for maintaining experiences, resources and social networks to 1 to 10 miles of the trail. promote trails can result in a greater variety of events and programs along the trail. Their duties include clearing and blazing trails, communicating with local land Example: Metroparks Toledo managers, recruiting other volunteers and promoting events. The BTA offers training for Metroparks Toledo partners with a variety of volunteers through the Buckeye Trail Crew, local groups and organizations that provide which organizes 15 weeks of training for trail educational and outdoor skills programming construction and heavy maintenance. The events associated with the Maumee River Buckeye Trail would not be as successful as it is Water Trail. These include group paddling today without a strong volunteer base. events, races, competitions and festivals. Event organizers include the Northwest Ohio Example: Central Ohio Mountain Biking River Runners, Toledo River Gang, Black Organization (COMBO) Swamp Conservancy, Maumee Valley Tri- Adventure Race, Sandpiper Boat, Partners in COMBO has built and maintained more than 60 Education, Toledo Rowing Club, Wood County miles of mountain-biking terrain in the region. Park District, Toledo Naturalists Club and All trails are patrolled by local International ODNR. Without these organizations, it would Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) trained not be possible for the Maumee River Water National Mountain Bike Patrol volunteers. Trail to have such a wide array of effective COMBO also hosts multiple events, including programming. races, “dirt school” educational clinics and social events. The COMBO mission statement is to create, advocate and preserve quality Volunteers mountain biking in central Ohio. Without this partnership between volunteers and land Volunteers are vital to many of Ohio’s trails. managers, central Ohio would not have the They assist with the development, operations, excellent mountain biking experiences it has maintenance and overall support. Their efforts today. can be used as in-kind match for many grants making resources stretch even further. They To maximize the benefits of the dedicated are heavily invested in and dedicated to the volunteers that are actively caring for all trail trails they serve and use. Volunteers are the types, the Trails Advisory Team expressed the backbone of trails for many organizations, and need for policies that allow volunteers to more they can improve trails by donating their time easily work statewide across trail management and skills. boundaries. For example, volunteers looking to work with ODNR’s multiple lands must
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —56— interact with four separate divisions, each of Relations have been boosted by participation which have different volunteer policies and in joint projects. For example, hazardous ash procedures. trees killed by the invasive emerald ash borer needed to be removed along all 50 miles of the trail. Several rotating groups of volunteers Volunteers worked for weeks, side by side with park staff, Finding: Volunteers play an important role in as the hazards were removed. The FLMSP play all aspects of trails of every type. a vital role in ensuring the success of the trail.
Recommendation: Develop guidelines and best management practices for the creation Advocacy of volunteer programs that allow volunteers Public support is vital to achieve the many to more easily work across land management benefits of trails. Partnerships that speak boundaries. with a combined voice can advocate for trails, influencingcommunities and elected officials to embrace the development and protection of Friends Groups trail experiences. Advocacy partnerships can Friends groups are vital in ensuring the success identify trail issues, network with partners and of trails. They assist with all aspects of trails meet with community leaders. including design, development, funding, maintenance, programming and events. Some Example: Ohio Trails Partnership are small groups of volunteers and others The Ohio Trails Partnership is a group of trail are major organizations with large budgets advocacy organizations led by the Buckeye and staff. Their mission is to support trails in Trail Association, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, whatever way is necessary. COMBO, Ohio Horseman’s Council and the Example: Friends of Little Miami State Park American Canoe Association. The group originally partnered to help eliminate trail user The Friends of Little Miami State Park (FLMSP) conflicts. When the group was re- constituted was formed by people who love and enjoy in the mid-2010s, their mission expanded to the Little Miami Scenic Trail. They wanted advocating for trails to elected officials and to assist ODNR in keeping the trail safe and state agency leadership. The group also works enjoyable for users. They created a hotline to with local governments, community leaders report downed trees and other non-emergency and trail users to help advocate for trails in issues. If volunteer work crews are not able Ohio. Their accomplishments include helping to solve a problem, the issue is routed to park to establish the Legislative Trails Caucus and to management. The FLMSP board meets monthly spur the creation of this trails plan. and communication between the board and park management is maintained on a regular Example: Southern Wayne Advocacy Council basis. The Southern Wayne Advocacy Council (SWAC) is a nonprofit organization based near Ironton,
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Ohio, that collaborates closely with the Example: Tri-State Trails management staff at Wayne National Forest. They have participated in discussions that Tri-State Trails is an alliance of trail advocates eliminated equestrian and mountain bike trail in the tri-state region of Ohio, Kentucky and fees and reduced motorized trail fees at Wayne Indiana. This public-private collaboration National Forest. They continually work with the advances a vision to connect and expand staff of the Wayne National Forest to maintain the region’s trail network. Tri-State Trails and expand trails in southeast Ohio through works with many organizations that have volunteering and applying for trail grants. They differing priorities and across multiple levels also offer community input on recreation and of government. A management structure proposed forest management projects. that accomplished common goals had to be created. One effort known as the Cincinnati Riding Or Walking Network (CROWN) is a Regional Partnerships plan for a 30-mile trail loop around the city of Cincinnati that will serve as a hub for several Establishing strong connections on a larger regional trails. Work is also underway to link scale across multiple boundaries and the region’s two longest trails, the Little Miami organizations is the strength of regional Scenic Trail and the Great Miami River Trail. partnerships. Dozens of partnerships in Ohio are involved and working together on one Example: Great Miami Riverway trail or network for the benefit of the local economy, community and trail users. The Great Miami Riverway is an entire region of trail networks in southwest Ohio that is Example: Central Ohio Greenways focused on the corridor of the Great Miami State and National Water Trail system. The The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission riverway is inclusive of communities and (MORPC) is a voluntary association of cities, agencies along the corridor, including: Sidney, villages, townships counties and regional Troy, Piqua, Tipp City, Miami County Park organizations serving central Ohio. MORPC District, Dayton, Montgomery County, Miami takes pride in bringing communities of all Conservancy District, Five Rivers MetroParks, sizes and interests together to share best West Carrollton, Miamisburg, Franklin, practices and plan for its growing region. The MetroParks of Butler County and Hamilton. Central Ohio Greenways Board is a committee These partners came together to market and of MORPC, with a mission to expand the publicize the region as a cohesive entity. They number of trail miles and increase the use of have created a five-year plan with the goal trails for all people. The 22 board members of growing the river corridor as a connected, work on trail development, operations and unified, regional place in hopes of attracting access, partnership and marketing. The board more visitors. Their plan includes branding, collaborates with member jurisdictions to marketing the region as a destination, connect trail projects and understand the improving wayfinding signage and coordinating priorities of each member organization while events. This partnership is a great asset to the providing guidance for trail prioritization, region. maintenance and communication standards.
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Networking and Training activities. Partnerships with the health fields can also be beneficial for important data and Collaboration for the purposes of shared monitoring to demonstrate the need for and learning and networking can be a very valuable benefits of trails. partnership. Conferences and workshops on a local, regional or statewide scale can be Example: Ross County Destination Trails beneficial to trail planners, developers and managers. Learning how other trails are being Ross County Destination Trails is a group of developed and providing continuing education partners led by the Adena Health System in on relevant topics strengthens trail efforts. Ross County. The group is working to make Working with local convention and visitors Ross County a destination for hiking, trail bureaus, metropolitan planning organizations, running, horseback riding and mountain other local entities and nonprofit organizations biking connected by a network of multi-use to plan a variety of experiences will also allow greenway trails. Partners include Adena for additional partnerships to be formed. Health System, city of Chillicothe, Ross- Collaboration at this level could lead to Chillicothe Convention and Visitors Bureau, identifying trail network gaps and possible Ross County commissioners and the Chillicothe solutions for connectivity. Ross Chamber of Commerce. Adena, the major healthcare provider in the region, Example: Greater Cleveland Trails and Greenways recognizes the importance of providing Conference access for residents to be able to recreate and improve their health and well-being. Focusing on trail and greenway development in Advocacy for expanded trails and outdoor northeast Ohio, this conference has provided activities is aligned with Adena’s vision of an opportunity for professionals, advocates, “being instrumental in creating healthy, thriving community leaders and business interests to communities.” The partnership has created be inspired, recognize the benefits of trails, a not-for- profit board to administer and explore emerging trends, and network with promote the plan for sustainable, destination leading trail experts and peers to build support quality trails. for trails. The one-day program includes presentations in the morning followed by afternoon field trips to nearby trails. CONCLUSION
Partnerships are important throughout the Health entire process of trail planning, building, maintaining and use. The state can continue to Partnering with local hospitals, healthcare expand and enhance quality trail experiences entities or health departments can be through partnerships and collaborations beneficial to the development of trails and the between all levels of government, nonprofit promotion of trails as part of a healthy lifestyle. organizations, private businesses and As health organizations look to be more trail users. There are many excellent trail proactive in preventing disease and chronic projects that would not be possible without illness, they are collaborating with parks and partnerships, collaboration and working trails to promote and fund programs and together as a collective team.
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From the Survey– “Need better cooperation between park systems, government, volunteer groups to build and maintain good trails.”
Photo Courtesy of Friends of the Little Miami State Park
Photo Courtesy of Buckeye Trail Association
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FUNDING CHAPTER 6
Photo Courtesy of Stark Parks
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To realize the Ohio Trails Vision outlined by the Trails Advisory Team, trail planners and managers will have to continue to work creatively and strategically to fund a statewide system. Ohio’s trail system has developed in part to several dedicated funding streams. This chapter highlights ways planners are funding trails of all types in Ohio outside of normal operating budgets. Trail developers often rely on several different dedicated funding sources with different match requirements, funding cycle timelines and environmental requirements. Ohio’s trail planners are using local, state, and federal funding sources to their advantage to develop world- class trails.
The programs presented below are those that can be used for projects that are separate from roadways. The chapter concludes by providing an analysis of trail funding and presents the overall findings and recommendations that will need to be implemented to realize the Ohio Trails Vision.
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MAJOR FUNDING Cities and villages, counties, townships, special SOURCES districts, and nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply. Projects are typically capped at $500,000 and require a minimum 25 percent Clean Ohio Trails Fund local match. Approximately $6.25 million is Funding Source awarded annually. Applications are submitted to ODNR on an annual basis before being Tax-exempt bonds sold by the State of Ohio evaluated by grants staff through a detailed authorized by the State Capital Budget review. Recommendations are presented to the COTF Advisory Board before being submitted Funding Administrator to the ODNR Director for final approval. ODNR Office of Real Estate and Land Eligible Projects Management Projects eligible for funding from the Program Description COTF include: trail projects that are in The Clean Ohio Trails Fund (COTF) was synchronization with the statewide trails plan, originally proposed by Governor Bob Taft in or a current regional trail plan; trail projects his 2000 State of the State address, where that complete regional trail systems and/or he called for a $400 million bond program provide links to the statewide trail system; to preserve natural areas and farmland, trails that link population centers with an protect streams, create outdoor recreational outdoor recreation area and facilities; trail opportunities, expand a statewide system of projects that involve the purchase of rail lines, recreational trails, and revitalize urban areas or preserve natural corridors; trail projects by returning contaminated properties to that provide links in urban areas that support productive use. This proposal became State commuter access; and trails that provide Issue 1, and in 2000, it was overwhelmingly economic benefit. approved by Ohio voters. In 2001, the Ohio Program Impact General Assembly enacted Amended Substitute House Bill 3, spelling out the administrative Through 2018, the COTF dedicated more than details of the program. ODNR administers $86 million to provide Ohioans with better the COTF reimbursement grant program in access to recreational opportunities. More than consultation with the COTF Advisory Board. 260 trail projects have been awarded, which Sections 1519.05 and 1519.06 of the ORC resulted in: provide authority for the Clean Ohio Trails Fund and the advisory board. •• 123 miles of corridor acquisition
•• 437 miles of new trail
•• 44 bridges
•• 14 tunnels
•• 36 trailheads
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Important Information Projects are capped at $150,000 and require a minimum 20 percent match. Approximately The COTF is often the first choice for trail $1.6 million is awarded annually. Applications planners since it is a state program and has are submitted to ODNR on an annual basis, less administrative requirements compared then they are evaluated by a grants staff to federal government funding sources. through a detailed review. Recommendations The COTF primarily funds linear multi- use are presented to the State Recreational Trail trails, however, it has funded long-distance Advisory Board before they are submitted to backpacking trail projects like the Buckeye Trail the ODNR Director for final approval. and the North Country National Scenic Trail. Eligible Projects
Recreational Trails Program The RTP program funds the acquisition, restoration, construction, development of trails Funding Source and related trail facilities. Trail educational Federal Highway Administration via federal projects and trailhead development are transportation bills also eligible. Limited costs associated with engineering and design are eligible for funding Funding Administrator if those costs are part of the development project. Trail maintenance activities and, ODNR Office of Real Estate and Land in limited cases that meet certain criteria, Management purchase of trail maintenance equipment, are eligible. Program Description Program Impact The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is a reimbursement grant program funded through From its inception in 1991 and through 2018, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s the RTP has awarded funds for 342 Ohio trail Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). RTP projects: funds come from the Federal Highway Trust Fund and represent a portion of the motor •• 61 miles of property acquisition fuel excise tax collected from non- highway recreational fuel use: fuel used for off-highway •• 228 miles of new trail recreation by snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, •• 2 trailhead acquisitions off-highway motorcycles and off-highway light trucks. The program has been authorized since •• 29 trailheads 1991 in sequential federal transportation bills •• 47 new bridges – the current bill is Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. •• 14 equipment grants
Cities and villages, counties, townships, special •• 1,049 miles of trail restored districts, state and federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply.
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Important Information trails. Only local governmental entities, regional transportation authorities, transit agencies, Since the funding is derived from gas taxes, 30 natural resource or public land agencies are percent of the funding each year must be spent eligible for this funding. A 20 percent match is on motorized trails. This program also funds typically required. Currently, ODOT provides up maintenance of existing trails and is the only to 95 percent of the project cost due to the use dedicated trail grant program available that of toll revenue credit for projects scheduled funds natural surface loop trails. for construction through state fiscal year 2023. ODOT uses a scoring process and an internal project selection committee to recommend Transportation Alternatives projects to the deputy director of the Division Program (TAP) of Planning. MPOs around the state each use Funding Source different processes for granting their TAP funds.
Set-aside of the Surface Transportation Eligible Projects Block Grant program from Federal Highway Administration via federal transportation bills Eligible projects applicable to trail development include bicycle and pedestrian facilities, Funding Administrator recreational trails and safe routes for non- drivers. Bicycle and pedestrian facilities may Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) or include multi-use trails, bike lanes, traffic metropolitan planning organizations signs, new sidewalks, bicycle parking racks and covered bicycle shelters. Upgrades to Program Description facilities to meet federal, state and/or local The Surface Transportation Block Grant responsibilities for compliance with what Program provides money from the federal the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) government to states to fund transportation requires are eligible, as are traffic calming projects. The transportation bill enacted improvements to reduce conflicts in heavy in 2015, known as the FAST Act, requires pedestrian areas. Recreational trail projects an approximate 10 percent set-aside to be that offer a transportation component take dedicated toward transportation alternatives, priority over those that are only recreational. which ODOT manages as its Transportation Program Impact Alternatives Program (TAP). ODOT distributes these funds to the Ohio’s 17 metropolitan From federal fiscal year 1992-2017, according planning organizations (MPOs), which use to information provided by the Rails-to-Trails the funding to support local transportation Conservancy’s transportation alternatives alternatives projects. Four MPOs consistently data exchange, TAP and its predecessor, the return the money to ODOT on a yearly basis Transportation Enhancement Program, have so that they can be included in the statewide distributed $53.8 million for multi-use trails TAP, which ODOT administers for areas not and $186 million for pedestrian and bicycle within an MPO. The TAP program is one of facilities in Ohio. In federal fiscal year 2018, Ohio’s largest sources of funding for multi-use $27.3 million of TAP funding was available in
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Ohio (this does not include the approximately ADDITIONAL FUNDING $1.6 million that goes toward the RTP OPPORTUNITIES administered by ODNR). In the most recent funding cycle, ODOT received $40 million worth of project applications with only $12 Congestion Mitigation and million available to distribute outside of the Air Quality Improvement MPOs. Over time, TAP funds have become an Program increasingly more important funding source to The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality develop multi-use trails as well as bicycle and Improvement Program (CMAQ) was developed pedestrian facilities in Ohio. by the federal government to implement surface transportation projects that contribute Important Information to air quality improvements and provide While many multi-use trail projects have automobile traffic congestion relief. Funds are been funded by TAP, it is important to note provided for use in a U.S. EPA designated air that all proposed projects must have a direct quality area. The programs are administered relationship to surface transportation or locally by the applicable regional planning well-defined benefits as a recreational trail entity. Eligible applicants are political facility. TAP provides the largest amount of subdivisions within a designated air quality dedicated funding each year available for the area. Multi-use trails, signed bike routes construction of multi-use trails. In addition and bicycle lanes are eligible projects, as are to TAP, the Federal Highways Administration sidewalks, crosswalks, outreach related to safe maintains a matrix that lists all pedestrian and bicycle use and bicycle parking facilities. bicycle funding opportunities available through the U.S. Department of Transportation Transit, Better Utilizing Investments Highway, and Safety funds, which is available to Leverage Development at: fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bicycle_ Transportation Discretionary pedestrian/funding/funding_opportunities.pdf. Grants
This highly competitive federal program administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation funds innovative multimodal transportation projects that can include trails and other bike and pedestrian facilities. (BUILD) was previously known as the TIGER program. In 2018, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced the availability of $1.5 billion in funding under the BUILD program.
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State Capital Bill Community money to 92 projects, including 11 trail projects Projects and six hand-powered watercraft access projects. Approximately every two years, the Governor and Ohio Legislature work together to The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act produce the state’s capital bill, an investment was passed by the U.S. Congress in 1964. in Ohio’s infrastructure and local community Funding for the program has been authorized projects. Work on the 2019-2020 capital bill through 2018, and ODNR accepted applications began in 2017 as community representatives in 2018. At the end of 2018, several proposals throughout the state worked with Governor are under consideration in the U.S. House John Kasich’s administration and their and Senate to both reauthorize and/or reform legislators to identify priority projects, some the program. For 2017, 14 projects received of which included trails. When signed by funding in Ohio, four of which had a trail the governor in March 2018, House Bill 529 component. Awards are capped at $500,000 authorized more than $5.1 million for local and require a 50 percent local match. Projects communities to develop, upgrade and maintain have included property acquisition and trail trails. construction, as well as amenity upgrades and construction like restrooms and parking lots.
NatureWorks and the Land and Water Conservation Fund Clean Ohio Greenspace Fund
These two programs administered by the The Clean Ohio Greenspace Fund is a ODNR Office of Real Estate can be used to companion program to the COTF. The provide funding for trail projects, especially program is managed by the Ohio Public Works projects or portions of projects located in Commission, but projects are evaluated and parks, nature preserves and dedicated forest awarded at the local level by boards called lands. Projects important to the development Natural Resources Advisory Committees. The of water trails, including canoe and boat launch program is dedicated to the acquisition of facilities, are also eligible. The NatureWorks green space and the enhancement of river and grant program is funded through the Ohio stream corridors. The program has resulted Parks and Natural Resources Bond issue, which in the acquisition of more than 26,000 acres was approved by Ohio voters in November in the state of Ohio. Many of these lands now 1993. The program provides up to $150,000 have low-impact natural surface recreational of reimbursement assistance (25 percent trail systems. In addition, the fund has been local match required) to local government used to buy corridors for the construction of subdivisions for the acquisition, development multi-use trails. and rehabilitation of recreational areas. The maximum project available is allocated based on the population of the county so only Ohio’s largest counties are eligible for the maximum award. In 2017, the program awarded grant
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Local Dedicated Funding FUNDING ANALYSIS The importance of trails has been reflected in the development of dedicated funding at Does the Current Funding the local level. As the public’s demand for trail Meet the Demand? opportunities rises, local initiatives to provide With the increasing popularity of trails, there dedicated funds for trail development will likely is an increasing demand for the currently increase. Two recently created local dedicated available dedicated trail grant dollars. As local trail funding streams have been created in and regional governments plan more trails, central and western Ohio. the need for dedicated funding will likely In 2018, the Delaware County Board of increase. It is important to note that even the Commissioners began offering $100,000 largest, best funded park districts seek state to local communities and organizations to and federal funding opportunities for trail develop multi-use trails. These dedicated trail construction. To reach our trails vision in Ohio, funds can be used as the match requirement more money will be needed. for state and federal grants like COTF and RTP. Also, in 2018, the city of Oxford passed a property tax levy to fund the construction Funding a Statewide Trail of a 12-mile multi-use trail system. The levy System raises $10 million and will be used to leverage Finding: To realize the Ohio Trails Vision, more other grants, provide dedicated money for dedicated funding for all trail types will be construction, and set aside funds for long-term required. maintenance and operation. Recommendation: Explore ways to increase dedicated trail funding for both multi-use, Non-Traditional Sources natural surface, and water trails of all types.
The increasing demand of trails has led trail planners to obtain resources from a wide variety of groups. During the Ohio trail plan public meetings, trail planners and advocates provided resources they have utilized to fund trails. Non-traditional sources include community foundations, nonprofit organizations, chambers of commerce, private businesses, real estate developers, corporate sponsorships, user fees and trail advocacy groups.
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Dedicated Funding for Trail Trail Operations and Reconstruction and Capital Maintenance Improvements Finding: Funding for trail operations and As Ohio’s trail system ages, trails that were maintenance is limited. built using dedicated funds, such as the COTF program, will eventually outlive their Recommendation: Explore ways to increase intended lifetimes. When this happens, the opportunities to fund trail maintenance and trails will need to be reconstructed. COTF operations for all types of trails. funding can be used only for the construction of trails, not long-term maintenance or CONCLUSION capital improvements. The only dedicated trail program dollars that can be used for There are many possible sources of funding the reconstruction, capital improvements, to develop trail projects in Ohio. The passage or maintenance of trails are the RTP grants of the Clean Ohio Trails program in 2000 gave coordinated by ODNR. Ohio a state-generated vehicle to provide funding to local communities to develop trails. Funding derived from the federal government Trail Reconstruction and through transportation programs is the Capital Improvements other key funding stream used in Ohio for Finding: Dedicated funding is needed for trail trail development. For Ohio to grow as a trail reconstruction, and capital improvements is destination, it is necessary to establish more limited. dedicated funding for the construction and long-term maintenance. Recommendation: Explore dedicated funding options for capital improvements for all types of trails.
Funding for Trail Operations and Maintenance
Many trail developers across the state, especially in rural and smaller communities, are also in need of funding assistance for daily operations and maintenance. Trail managers are meeting this need with volunteers, which is discussed in both the Partnerships and Collaboration chapter and the Development chapter. Even so, increased monetary resources that can be used for maintenance should be examined to ensure a well- maintained trails network across Ohio.
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Photo Courtesy of Chuck Gulker and the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
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TRAIL DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER 7
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —71—
To realize the Ohio Trails Vision, Ohioans across the state will have to work together to develop trails. This chapter presents an introduction to the trail planning process, provides advice for trail developers, and presents findings and recommendations to be implemented to realize the Ohio Trails Vision.
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —72—
PLANNING TRAILS Capacity to Develop Trails Trail planners and advocates provided a great Trail Corridor Acquisition deal of feedback regarding the construction of trails throughout the trail planning process. An important component in trail development One concern that stood out is the apparent is the acquisition of property for trails. In Ohio, disparity between the capacity of smaller the responsibility for this acquisition lies with communities and local nonprofit organizations local trail developers. Throughout the planning to develop trails compared to larger process, trail developers stressed the difficulty communities. and expense associated with trail corridor acquisition. To develop a world-class trail Large agencies often have dedicated system, trail developers must be able to act employees who specialize in grant writing, quickly when the opportunity exists to acquire landscape architecture, planning and trail corridors. engineering. If they do not have the needed skill set required within the organization, they One notification tool for trail managers often have the discretionary funds to hire for rail corridor abandonment is the early outside firms to fill in these gaps. Smaller warning alert system managed by the Rails- agencies and nonprofits simply do not have to-Trails Conservancy. This program alerts these resources. Ultimately, the development state agencies and local communities of rail of a true state trail system that connects Ohio’s abandonments to initiate corridor preservation metropolitan and rural areas will require more efforts for future trail use. The Trails Advisory trail assistance in areas where that capacity has Team believes that more attention and direct not been developed. assistance from state government could advance the preservation of potential trail Trail planners across the state do recognize corridors of all types. This attention, combined this capacity gap and will often assist smaller with a quickly accessible and dedicated funding communities within that metropolitan region. source used to secure trail corridors, would One example is how the Cuyahoga Greenway help realize the Ohio Trails Vision. Partners held a trail development workshop for communities in the region in fall 2018. The area’s leading trail planning agencies Trail Corridor Acquisition detailed best management practices for the Finding: The capacity is not present at the funding, design and construction of multi-use local level to act in a timely fashion to acquire trails. ODOT has encouraged planning in local corridors for trail development. communities by providing funds for regional active transportation plans that include multi- Recommendation: Explore ways to strengthen use trails. While these efforts are excellent trail developers’ abilities to acquire corridors and should be continued, there is still need and properties for trails. for a more coordinated approach to assist smaller communities to truly make Ohio a trails destination.
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Ability to Develop Trails •• Ohio Department of Natural Resources – broad environmental review including Large communities have the expertise Finding: impacts to state threatened and and resources to plan, design, fund and build endangered species trails, while smaller communities have fewer resources to do the same. •• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – federally threatened and endangered species Recommendation: Explore ways to increase trail building ability in smaller communities. •• Local floodplain administrator – floodplain concerns
Designing Trails BUILDING AND The design of trails that have minimal impact MANAGING TRAILS on surrounding resources, both natural and cultural, is not only good practice, Trail Guidelines but a requirement of many of the funding sources available to trail developers. The best After reviewing other state trails plans, ODNR designed trails complement and enhance the planners determined that the development of surrounding landscape. One of the challenges trail guidelines would be outside the scope of faced by many trail developers is the inability this Ohio Trails Vision process. However, the to use dedicated trail funding sources for need for better standards for all trail types, environmental compliance and design that in order to provide a more predictable user occurs separately from the construction phase. experience, was consistently mentioned by trail Trail planners should consider consulting with planners and users. Therefore, the need for the following regulatory agencies to assist in trail guidelines for the state should be further planning and design: explored by the Trails Advisory Team.
•• Ohio Historical Preservation Office – Trail Guidelines cultural and historical concerns Finding: There is a need to establish statewide •• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – wetland guidelines and best management practices and stream impacts for the design, construction, operations, and maintenance of all trail types to provide a •• Ohio Environmental Protection Agency – better experience for trail users. wetland and stream impacts, hazardous materials investigations Recommendation: Work with the Trails Advisory Team to explore the development of •• U.S. Coast Guard – navigable waterways statewide trail guidelines.
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —74—
Trail Management and priorities to programming and outreach to Maintenance using underserved populations have been utilized as Volunteers tactics to ensure that trail development moving forward focuses on all areas and members of When planning a trail system, trail managers communities that trails are being created in. must consider the need for maintenance and long-term capital improvements to ensure the trail remains sustainable well into the future. Strategies for Diversity Volunteers and trail users are critical to involve Trails are underserving members of during all the phases of trail development and Finding: minority and low-income communities. management. Trail managers should consider working closely with volunteers through Recommendation: Develop strategies to friends groups, adopt-a-trail programs and engage a more diverse user base for Ohio’s clean-up events. Trail managers have formed trails and develop new trails in underserved successful partnerships with organizations areas. such as the Buckeye Trail Association, the Ohio Horseman’s Council, Central Ohio Mountain Biking Organization and many others to User Conflict maintain and manage trails in Ohio. Many The Ohio Trails Partnership is an example of a of these partnerships are highlighted in the successful partnership of the non-motorized Partnerships and Collaboration Chapter. trail advocacy groups in the state that helps resolve potential conflicts on the trails. Strategies for Diversity The Trails Advisory Team brought together motorized users and non-motorized trail Trail developers of all types are concerned users together in a form to discuss all types of about the need for trails to serve a more recreational trails in Ohio. In general, trail users diverse population, highlighting the need for prefer single use trails whenever possible, equity and inclusion to accommodate the however, this is not always feasible. Education needs of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. In and signage are key to help mitigate conflict on the past decades, trails have been developed Ohio’s trails. in an opportunistic manner in many settings across Ohio. Developers and advocates have recently spent more time contemplating User Conflict whether this development has been done equitably for all Ohioans. Many surveys of trail Finding: When different types of trail uses users across Ohio have consistently shown intersect, conflict arises between trail users. that there are large population demographics Separate trails for separate use is preferred. that are largely underrepresented within trail Recommendation: Develop educational users. Local government, trail collaborations opportunities for trail uses of all types that and advocacy groups are working to address articulate appropriate trail use and behavior. these issues with varying degrees of success. Everything from analysis of trail development
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —75—
CONCLUSION
While developing a trail from start to finish is challenging, the completion of a successful trail system can benefit the community and the state for future generations. This chapter highlighted some of the stages of the trail planning and development process. The recommendations given by the Trails Advisory Team are important to implement the Ohio Trails Vision.
From the Survey– “Trail maintenance is key”
Photo Courtesy of Buckeye Trail Association
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —76—
MARKETING AND PROMOTION CHAPTER 8
Photo Courtesy of Tri–State Trails
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —77—
Trail use in Ohio is among the top outdoor activities, however, lack of information about where to go and what to do continues to be a top barrier. Building awareness of Ohio as a trail destination and increasing the awareness of trails in general would meet the demand of trail users and generate economic impact for all communities in the state. The intent of this chapter is not to present a marketing plan. Instead, this chapter outlines key opportunities and explores potential marketing roles of state government, destination marketing organizations and trail managers to ensure coordination and effectiveness.
Ohio’s destination marketing organizations (DMOs) come in various forms and often have names that include the words convention, visitors, and bureau (CVB). TourismOhio, a branch of state government, fills this role at the state level. Dozens of local DMOs operate largely at the county or municipal level. Examples include Lake Erie Shores and Islands, Great Miami Riverway, Destination Toledo, Experience Columbus, Destination Cleveland, Visit Greater Springfield, Ross-Chillicothe CVB and Dublin CVB. Most of these are nonprofit organizations that work independently under a board of directors. The mission of these groups is to promote visitor and business travel that generates visitor spending for a destination. Coordination between trail managers and DMOs at all levels within the state will be key to realizing the Ohio Trails Vision.
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —78—
MARKETING GOALS
The findings and recommendations presented in this chapter are based on the four marketing goals identified in Figure 1. These goals arose from discussions held by the Trails Advisory Team and the Ohio Trails Partnership, as well as a series of regional nature tourism workshops for resource managers and tourism professionals throughout the state conducted in 2013 by ODNR and the Ohio Travel Association. Two of these goals – increase awareness and increase economic activity and quality of experience – are combined because of the intertwining connection between them. R R F R R R F R
R R R F R R R
INCREASE different organizations have resulted in similar, AWARENESS, yet slightly different results. This makes it ECONOMIC IMPACT challenging to make direct comparisons and AND QUALITY OF OHIO actionable marketing decisions based on the TRAILS currently available information. As an example, managers of the 340-mile Understanding Trail Users Miami Valley Trails system, the most extensive connected multi-use trail system in Ohio, Trail users vary greatly depending on the collectively survey trail users on a regular basis. trail types they use, the frequency of and However, the results have varied depending enthusiasm for using and the intensity of on the time of year the survey was conducted, the trail experiences they seek out. To best making data needed for marketing analysis direct future marketing opportunities, trail difficult to access. The following are results of managers will need accurate information a 2017 study conducted during one week in about trail users. While several survey efforts, September. This list could look very different including the survey produced in this plan, given different weather conditions, or if the can tell us many important things about survey was conducted at another time of year. Ohio trail users, the methodologies used by
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —79—
•• Biking, walking and running are the top Attracting Travelers to Ohio’s activities on the trail. Trails
•• A total of 17 percent of trail users are This section presents a conceptual framework from outside the region. that helps to understand the different stages of traveler experiences. Trail managers seeking •• The typical trail user in 2017 (as in past to raise awareness of a community trail or a years) was older (two-thirds above age regional DMO hoping to increase overnight 45) and male (60 percent male). visitation may consider these stages useful. Potential strategies are identified within each When exploring opportunities for growing travel stage. Boundaries between the stages trail use, trail planners must also consider the are often fluid. For example, experiencing a enthusiasm level of trail users. Research has trail and sharing that experiences with others identified that for many outdoor recreation often occurs simultaneously. niches, those who are most passionate about the activity spend money differently during trips than recreationists who combine trail experiences with other attractions or activities in the region. Ultimately, recreationists are using trails for very different reasons. Understanding trail users and the reasons why they use trails are both essential for designing and promoting recreational experiences. Because of this, the Trails D S R Advisory Team recommends the following: R S AR H P AN
Trail Use Surveys
Finding: Better scientific trail user data ATTRACTING is needed, particularly data identifying NSP R TRAVELERS DR AM TO OHIO S TRAILS characteristics of users based on trail The traveler’s TA type, economic impact, enthusiasm, and buying circle A T N exploration of what would enhance trail experiences.
Recommendation: Implement a SHAR standardized trail user survey platform P R N N that can be used by trail managers, as P R N well as statewide groups, for determining year-round marketing and experience development opportunities and challenges.
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —80—
INSPIRE AND DREAM
•• Stimulate interest in Ohio trail experiences.
•• Convince travelers to think about trails year-round. Goals •• Convince travelers to consider visiting a trail when they are coming to Ohio for another purpose.
•• “Trails look fun, like a good way to relax, like a good way to get fit, etc. I should What Are People Thinking go on a trail.” About At This Stage? •• “I’m planning a trip to Ohio. Trails look fun!”
How Do We Move Them •• Convince the traveler that visiting an Ohio trail is a good idea, and they should To The Next Stage? start planning a visit.
•• Produce inspiring images and video content of trail experiences that are available and then share those images and video content with trail managers and destination marketing organizations at all levels. Potential Strategies •• Develop search engine optimization and marketing (SEO/SEM) strategies that link trail opportunities to those searching for information about the state or a local region/community.
DISCOVER AND RESEARCH
•• Ensure the trail or trail destination comes up first and repeatedly as travelers Goals start exploring options. •• Ensure trails are considered by travelers when planning a visit to Ohio.
•• “I want to plan a trail experience. Where can I go?”
What Are People Thinking •• “What do others say about some of these trail destinations?” About At This Stage? •• “Why should I go to trail X over trail Y?”
•• “I’m coming to Ohio. Which trails are close to where I will be?”
How Do We Move Them •• Choose your trail or trail destination over all others. To The Next Stage?
•• Ensure trail experiences can be found with DMO resources at all levels, including TourismOhio. Potential Strategies •• Ensure that a reputation management strategy is in place to solicit and respond to user reviews on sites such as TripAdvisor and Yelp.
•• Ensure SEO/SEM strategies are in place.
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PLAN
•• Build trust and loyalty with your future guest by making it easy for them Goals to find what they need.
•• “I’m going to trail X. I want this to be the best-ever for me and my fellow What Are People Thinking trail users.” About At This Stage? •• “What should I see and do? What will I need? How many days? What is it going to cost?”
How Do We Move Them To •• Upsell to staying additional days and/or adding additional points of The Next Stage? interest to their visit.
•• Digital and mobile maps and other trip planning tools are functional and informative.
•• Ensure types of trail experiences, trail lengths and difficulty are identified.
•• Ensure trail experiences are easy to find on DMO resources at all levels, including TourismOhio. Potential Strategies •• Trail websites should also include what there is to see and do near the trail, such as natural areas, attractions, dining options, museums, etc.
•• Offer itineraries for different types of trail users.
•• Collaborate with niche partners along the trail, such as craft breweries, local foods and other authentic experiences to create unique experiences linked to trail users.
ACTION AND BOOK
•• Seal the deal. Convince trail user to commit to travel and make Goals reservations.
•• “I know what I’m doing. Now, I have to confirm my plans.” What Are People Thinking •• “How do I make lodging reservations? Are there packages available? Do I Bout At This Stage? need to reserve equipment or transportation from one end of the trail to another?”
How Do We Move Them To •• Make booking the trip easy. The Next Stage? •• Upsell to longer stays and other activities in the area.
•• Connect trails directly to lodging options in the area or to local DMOs when booking interfaces. Potential Strategies •• Connect trail users directly to booking engines for local businesses such as restaurants, museums, other natural areas, etc.
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —82—
ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE
Goals •• A traveler’s experience on Ohio trails exceeds their expectations.
•• “This trail is fabulous. I’m having an amazing time.”
What Are People Thinking •• “How do I get to X? What more can I do? If I have a question, where can I About At This Stage? go for help?”
•• “I must share this experience with my friends. Right now.”
How Do We Move Them To •• Make them feel special. Provide local only information. The Next Stage?
•• Signage to trailheads and experiences nearby are clear and readily available, including signage to towns from the trail. Map signage on trails provide mileage, difficulty, amenities and connections to communities.
•• Wi-Fi availability.
•• Mobile apps for trails are easy to use and are linked to amenities on and off the trail.
•• Trails and amenities are available and maintained.
•• Businesses provide exceptional service and recognize customers who Potential Strategies are trail users. Businesses offer special discounts to trail users and provide shipping services.
•• Businesses provide types and quality of goods and services that trail users expect.
•• Overnight facilities offer safe places to store equipment.
•• Offer trail passports for trail users to connect them to local businesses and experiences.
•• Pedestrian-friendly communities provide safe and navigable ways for trail users to explore.
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SHARE
Goals •• Traveler tells other people about the great time they had in Ohio.
What Are People Thinking •• “I had such a good time on that trail. I want to tell others.” About At This Stage?
How Do We Move Them To •• Keep the conversation going. The Next Stage?
•• Promote trail hashtags on the trail, on publications and digital platforms.
Potential Strategies •• Sponsor online contests and activities to boost engagement.
•• Provide opportunities for trail users to subscribe to trail newsletters.
From the Survey– “Ohio has GREAT trails, let’s keep improving and promoting them.”
Photo Courtesy of Tom Bilcze and Rails–to–Trails Conservancy
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —84—
The strategies presented above are meant to Trail Towns serve as ideas for all trail planners to market their trails. The Trails Advisory Team presents Finding: The trail town concept has been used the following findings and recommendations to connect communities with trails, users and to increase awareness, economic impact and businesses to promote growth and economic experience quality of Ohio trails: vitality.
Recommendation: Establish an Ohio Trails Brand and Market Ohio Trails Town program that provides a process for recognition and guidelines for best Finding: Trail users say it is challenging to find management practices. This would recognize needed information statewide about Ohio’s communities that support world-class trails trails. and provide resources to those interested in exploring new business opportunities catering Recommendation: ODNR will continue to trail users. development of a website with the intent of producing an easy-to-use and resourceful interactive map of all Ohio trails, a calendar of INCREASE trail events and links to destination marketing COLLABORATION AND agencies for each trail experience. ACCESS TO MARKETING EXPERTISE AND KNOWLEDGE
Statewide Trail Marketing In many parts of the state, trail managers Plan are not connected to local or regional DMOs, and many of these organizations lack Finding: The state lacks a consistent way to understanding of the marketing potential of market its trails. their trails. Conversations about enhancing the outdoor economy in Ohio have been Recommendation: A data-driven statewide numerous and lengthy. In 2013, the Ohio Travel marketing plan for Ohio’s trails should be Association and ODNR met with 80 tourism produced, with opportunities for leveraging and resource management professionals cooperative participation from DMOs at all to discuss opportunities for nature tourism, levels, as well as consideration of branding. including trails. During sessions around the This marketing plan should address trail use state participants expressed the need for from a broad perspective, including economic increased capacity to develop nature tourism development and public health. experiences, which are coordinated regionally and statewide. Specific needs identified include hands-on tools and worksheets, collaborative training workshops, and identification and sharing of customer service needs specific to the type of outdoor recreationist. Work during these sessions produced lists of learning
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —85— needs for both resource managers and tourism entities. Participants also called for PROTECT THE coordination of a statewide nature tourism INTEGRITY OF TRAIL strategy. EXPERIENCES
The Trails Advisory Team presents the With increased use comes potential challenges following recommendations to increase to ensure sustainability of trails. Protecting collaboration in marketing trails across the the trail experience means ensuring that the state: waters, lands and wildlife are healthy, even with increased potential impact by users. Sustaining the trail experience also means Cross-Training Trail Managers keeping the most enthusiastic of users at and Travel Professionals the forefront of consideration and planning, as not all users will put the same demands Finding: There is not widespread collaboration – nor expect the same experiences – on a between people who manage trails and those trail. If trails and their experiences are not who promote communities. sustainable, future gains will not be realized. Recommendation: Develop workshops The trails advisory team presents the following for trails managers, DMOs and businesses recommendation regarding trail sustainability: that demonstrate the economic potential of trails and teach communities to create and market recreation experiences that meet Trail Sustainability the expectation of trail users. Incorporate Finding: Any effort to increase trail use must these learning opportunities into existing be accompanied by sustainability measures to conferences and educational events by protect the resources, as well as the integrity of coordinating efforts between the trail and the trail experience for future users. travel economy communities. Recommendation: Provide resources and best practices training for trail managers on sustainability and protection of the trail experience.
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —86—
TRAIL INVENTORY CHAPTER 9
Photo Courtesy of Buckeye Trail Association
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —87—
ODNR TRAIL INVENTORY HISTORY
In addition to the responsibility of creating the state trails plan, ORC 1519 tasks the ODNR, through the Chief of the ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft, to “prepare and maintain a current inventory of trails, abandoned or unmaintained roads, streets, and highways, abandoned railroad rights-of-ways, utility easements, canals, or other scenic or historic corridors or rights-of- way that are suitable for recreational use.” Further, the code states that any “state department, agency, political subdivision, or planning commission shall furnish available maps, descriptions, and other pertinent information to the Director for inspection and duplication, for trail inventory and planning purposes.”
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —88—
In preparation of the 2005 state trails plan, planning process, ODNR reached out to dozens ODNR created a trail inventory of all critical of trail planners and managers across the linear trails in the state. The inventory focused state, compiling data and plans for existing, on multi-use trails, although long distance planned and proposed trails. natural surface trails like the Buckeye Trail and the North Country National Scenic Trail As ODNR examined trail datasets and plans, were included. For the first time, ODNR it quickly became clear that there were used geographic information system (GIS) differences in the ways trail managers and technology to develop an electronic trail planners collect and manage their respective database. Data gathered for the inventory data. ODNR planners have begun the included existing, planned and proposed preliminary process of analyzing these datasets trails. Planned trails were those that had for consistency. ODNR accepted data in any not yet been built but were in some formal format, including GIS data, computer aided stage of planning. Proposed trails were more design (CAD) files, and paper or electronic conceptual than a planned trail. Proposed trails plans and documents. might include a corridor that no public agency Going forward, so as to streamline the addition is actively pursuing but has the potential to of local and regional datasets into the Ohio be developed into a trail. Finally, the trail trail inventory, ODNR trail planners will work inventory grouped trails by five classifications with data managers to develop a minimum determined by the length of the trail: national, standard for electronic trail data. state, regional, county-wide and community trails. Standards for Trail Data The 2005 effort was excellent and resulted for Trail managers are using various the first time in a true statewide database of Finding: methods of mapping and inventorying trails Ohio’s linear trails. The data was presented in across Ohio. a system of statewide and regional maps in the 2005 plan. Although the 2005 plan stated Recommendation: ODNR will lead an effort that “maintaining an up-to-date inventory of to help create a minimum set of trail data existing, planned and proposed trails requires standards so that local and regional datasets it to be ever-changing, requiring constant can be more easily compiled, integrated and revision as new trails are introduced into the shared. system,” the inventory was not updated after the 2005 publication of the plan. Due to the timeline established by the Legislative Trails Caucus to complete the In 2018, as a part of revising the state’s trail trails plan in 2018, coupled with the fact that plan, ODNR committed again to updating the an enormous number of trails have been Ohio trail inventory. For this effort, ODNR built and planned since 2005, ODNR made committed to collect information on all of the decision that the updated trail inventory Ohio’s recreational trails, including loop will be completed after this written plan is trails that are within the boundaries of parks published. To measure the state’s progress and other recreation areas. Throughout the toward reaching the goal of having a trail
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —89— opportunity within 5 miles of all Ohioans, it STATE TRAIL will be critical to keep this inventory up-to-date DESIGNATION moving forward. Instead of publishing static paper maps, the new Ohio trail inventory will In addition to requiring ODNR to complete be housed in an online interactive map. If trail an inventory of Ohio’s trails, ORC gives the planners or managers would like their data to Director of ODNR the authority to designate be included in the Ohio trail inventory, we ask a state trail by entry in the Director’s journal. that they submit plans and data to the trails According to the ODNR Office of Real Estate coordinator with the ODNR Division of Parks and Land Management, only two trails have and Watercraft. been designated as state trails since the law was enacted in 1972. These trails include a Local and Regional Planning portion of the Miami and Erie Canal Towpath Efforts between Grand Lake St. Marys and Fort Loramie, and the multi-use trail at Blackhand Finding: An increasing amount of communities Gorge State Nature Preserve. More research are engaging in trail planning. These efforts are is needed to fully understand why this trail led by local park districts, local government and designation authority was not used by ODNR, regional planning bodies. and research should determine the benefits and associated responsibilities with officially Recommendation: ODNR will play a designating state trails. continuous role to gather local trail plans and integrate them into the state trail inventory and plan. State Trail Designation
Finding: Since the passage of ORC 1519 ODNR Trail Inventory legislation in 1972, which gives the Director of ODNR the authority to designate state trails, Finding: The 2005 Trails for Ohioans plan very few trails have been designated. featured an inventory of current, proposed and planned trails, which quickly became outdated. Recommendation: Explore the advantages and disadvantages of official state trail Recommendation: Going forward, ODNR will designation by ODNR. maintain an online interactive map of current and proposed trails that is based on publicly The next several chapters take a deeper dive supported and published plans generated from into the six major trail types found in Ohio. local communities. For the Trails Vision Plan to be successful, it is important to have a solid understanding of what these trails are, how they are being used, current the benefits to Ohioans, potential challenges, etc. so that Ohio’s trail system can be properly maintained, sustained, and expanded.
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —90—
MULTI-USE TRAILS CHAPTER 10
Goal:
Provide a connected multi-use trail network that links every county in Ohio.
Photo Courtesy of Susan Sharpless Smith and the Rails–to–Trails Conservancy
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —91—
Multi-use trails, also known as shared-use paths, greenways or bike trails, are hard-surfaced trails designed for bicyclists, walkers, runners and other pedestrians. These trails form the backbone of our state trail system. The visionary goal presented by the Trails Advisory Team imagines an Ohio where every county is connected via a multi-use trail network. If fully implemented, this trail network would establish Ohio as a destination for multi-use trail users, provide safe and healthy transportation alternatives and improve the quality of life for all Ohioans.
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —92—
WHAT IS A MULTI-USE four major metropolitan areas of Cincinnati, TRAIL? Columbus, Akron and Cleveland, and the Ohio to Erie Trail is also linked to downtown Dayton. Multi-use trails, including shared-use paths, While there are still several critical gaps that are trails that are at least 8 feet wide, with a need to be closed, the Ohio to Erie Trail vision current minimum width standard for a newly is nearly complete less than 30 years after it built trail being 10 feet. These trails are open to was originally conceived. Local communities all non-motorized users, and with the passage and organizations across Ohio worked together of House Bill 250 and subsequent signature to create a true state multi-use trail. by Governor John Kasich in 2018, class 1 and class 2 electronic bicycles (e-bikes). Trail users Significant Ohio Multi-use include pedestrians, cyclists, skateboarders, Trail Networks rollerbladers, strollers, wheelchair and other mobility device users. The trail surface may Today, multi-use trails are being planned be asphalt, concrete or a hard-packed stone across the state. These efforts are led by park material. Every effort is made to construct new districts, local governments, regional planning trails to meet accessibility guidelines. bodies, nonprofit organizations and others. Communities of all sizes are developing trails DESCRIPTION OF THE to enhance the lives of their citizens. The EXISTING MULTI-USE following are several of the significant multi- TRAIL SYSTEM use trail networks in Ohio.
The Ohio to Erie Trail •• The Miami Valley Trails (MVT) system, with Dayton as its hub, comprises Ohio’s existing more than a 1,000-mile multi- 340 miles spanning from Cincinnati to use trail system was developed initially at Bellefontaine and reaching as far west the regional and local levels. In 1991, a vision as Greenville. This system is the nation’s was put forth to create a paved recreational largest paved trail network. The Miami multi-use trail from Cincinnati to Cleveland Valley Regional Planning Commission called the Ohio to Erie Trail. This planned trail helps coordinate the network. corridor had the potential to serve as the spine of a state multi-use trail system. The trail •• Tri-State Trails, an initiative based in would use already established trails linked by Cincinnati, operates south of the MVT new trail segments built by local and regional network to connect and expand trails, governments and organizations. and it is also used to make interstate connections in Kentucky and Indiana. The Today, the Ohio to Erie Trail route spans 326 heart of this effort is the Cincinnati Riding miles. Of this route, 280 miles exist on paved Or Walking Network (CROWN), which trails. The remaining 50 miles run on city envisions a 104-mile active transportation streets in urban areas and rural roads away network in the urban core. If the Tri- from metropolitan areas. The trail traverses the State Trails vision is realized, the nation’s
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largest paved trail network system would trail system centered on the Ohio and expand from Ohio into Kentucky and Erie Canal Towpath. On the southern Indiana. end of the Ohio to Erie Trail in Stark County, Stark Parks is leading the effort • • Central Ohio Greenways (COG) board to develop a multi-use trail system. The is a committee of the Mid-Ohio Regional towpath is also connected to adjacent Planning Commission (MORPC) with a trails developed in Portage County. mission to expand the number of trail miles and increase the use of trails for all •• In the Toledo area, Metroparks Toledo people. The COG board consists of trail and the Toledo Area Metropolitan Area managers, local municipalities, corporate Council of Governments are working entities, nonprofit organizations and together to create a network of multi- other stakeholders in the greater use trails, including the Oak Openings Columbus region. The greenway Corridor Trail that would connect five network consists of more than 230 parks west of Toledo. This trail will miles of multi-use trails and proposes connect to the Wabash Cannonball Trail. an additional more than 500 trail miles. Four of the greenway trails are included in a segment of the Ohio to Erie Trail, Potential Statewide Trail which cuts through central Ohio. COG Corridors provides guidance for trail prioritization The Great American Rail-Trail, a vision of the in marketing and communications, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, is a national effort operations and accesses, partnerships to create a trans-continental multi-use trail. The and trail development. proposed corridor spans approximately 3,700 miles and is currently more than 50 percent •• Cuyahoga Greenway Partners is an complete. Ohio sits in a key position among initiative among Cuyahoga County the 12 states along the route. Entering Ohio in Planning, Cleveland Metroparks Steubenville, the route would head west linking and the Northeast Ohio Areawide to the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath. The route Coordination Agency (NOACA) to build would then utilize a long portion of the Ohio an interconnected system of greenways to Erie Trail through Columbus and to Xenia and trails. This work includes the Ohio where it will connect via the Creekside Trail to and Erie Canal Towpath Trail, which Dayton. From Dayton, the route would follow currently spans approximately 100 miles the Wolf Creek Trail west to the Montgomery- from Cleveland to Dover, much of the Preble county line. More work would be route also serving as the Ohio to Erie needed to span a gap to reach nearby Trail. Further south, the Summit County Richmond, Indiana. Other key gaps in the route Trail and Greenway Plan is a public- include Steubenville to Zoarville in Jefferson, private partnership operating in Summit Harrison, Carroll, and Tuscarawas counties. County led by the Ohio and Erie Canalway Gaps in Wayne and Holmes counties include National Heritage Area and Summit the corridor from Orrville to Fredericksburg. Metroparks to provide a county-wide The Great American Rail-Trail is within grasp of
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —94— completion in the state and will position Ohio Beaver Creek Greenway Trail. This corridor as a leader in the construction of this national is envisioned by local planners to connect trail. through Columbiana County, reaching the Ohio River at the Pennsylvania border. The entire The North Coast Inland Trail currently spans length of this corridor is known as the Great from Lorain County to Ottawa County on a Ohio Lake to River Greenway. The Industrial former rail corridor. Currently, 63 miles of Heartland Trail Coalition (IHTC) is working on this corridor have been developed into trail. connecting this all the way to Pittsburgh. Although there are several significant gaps, this trail offers a potential to connect northeast and The IHTC has also been working to develop northwest Ohio. a corridor to link Cleveland to Pittsburgh. Trail planning is underway to connect Zoar The Wabash Cannonball Trail extends 63 miles to Bowerston in Harrison County. From west from the Toledo area along a former Bowerston to Jewett, the route uses the 11-mile railroad corridor to Montpelier with the Conotton Creek Trail. Another gap exists from possibility of a westward expansion connecting Jewett to Steubenville. The coalition is working to Indiana. on connecting across the Ohio River and then to Pittsburgh as the Ashtabula–to–Pittsburgh The Tri-County Triangle Trail, also known as corridor. The IHTC will ultimately connect four the Paint Creek Recreational Trail, currently states, creating a premier destination offering a runs 34.8 miles from Chillicothe to Washington 1,500- mile multi-use trail network. Court House. This corridor, if extended west to the Xenia- Jamestown Connector Trail, would link Chillicothe to the Miami Valley Trails system.
In northeast Ohio, communities have developed the Western Reserve Greenway. This trail runs 43 miles south from the city of Ashtabula to Warren. After a gap, this corridor continues south in the form of the Niles Greenway, which connects to the 11-mile Mill Creek Metroparks Bikeway through much of Mahoning County. After another gap in southern Mahoning County, the corridor continues from Washingtonville to Lisbon in Columbiana County as the Little
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Other significant multi-use trails at least 10 miles in length not connected to a major network
Trail Name Length Route Region
Middlefield to north of Maple Highlands Trail 20.6 miles NE Ohio Chardon
Richland B&O Trail 18.5 Miles Mansfield to Butler NE Ohio
Hockhocking Adena 20.4 Miles Nelsonville to Athens SE Ohio Bikeway
North-south route through Lima Rotary Riverwalk 13.3 Miles NW Ohio the city of Lima
East and west of the city of Heritage Trail 17.2 Miles NW Ohio Findlay
Bowling Green to North Slippery Elm Trail 13.1 Miles NW Ohio Baltimore
TJ Evans Trail 24.1 Miles Johnstown to Hanover Central Ohio
Marion Tallgrass Trail 12.4 Miles West from Marion Central Ohio
The Ohio Department of Transportation’s State Other Multi-use Trails and and US Bike Route System has identified more Networks than 3,000 miles of priority bike route corridors utilizing roadways and trails across the state. The trails and networks presented above The goal of this system is to provide bicyclists are some of the larger, more significant trail with safe and convenient connections through systems in Ohio. There are many more multi- and to population centers and destinations use trails present in the state. There are also in Ohio. Together these routes connect more many more planned trails than what we have than 400 Ohio communities for intrastate mentioned. As mentioned in the trail inventory travel, recreation and tourism, linking 76 chapter, ODNR is committed to inventorying counties. The system serves as a backbone all existing and planned multi-use trails in that local and regional trail and other active the state. This inventory will exist in an online transportation networks can build on and interactive map that can be updated as new connect to across the state. trails are planned and built, rather than a static inventory presented in this plan.
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —96—
MULTI-USE TRAIL NETWORK OVERVIEW
Lake Ashtabula Lucas Williams Fulton Ottawa Geauga Cuyahoga Defiance Henry Wood Sandusky Erie Lorain Trumbull
Paulding Huron Summit Portage Seneca Medina Putnam Hancock Ashland Mahoning
Van Wert Wyandot Crawford Wayne Stark Allen Richland Columbiana
Hardin Marion Carroll Mercer Auglaize Holmes Morrow Jefferson Tuscarawas Knox Logan Shelby Coshocton Union Delaware Harrison
Darke Champaign Miami Licking Guernsey Belmont Franklin Muskingum Clark Madison
Montgomery Noble Preble Fairfield Greene Perry Monroe Pickaway Morgan Fayette Hocking Washington Butler Warren Clinton Ross Athens Vinton Hamilton Highland
Pike Meigs Clermont Jackson
Brown
Adams Scioto Gallia
Multi-use Trail Lawrence Ohio to Erie Trail
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Areas Lacking Multi-Use be readily accessible from neighborhoods Trails and employment centers. These trails may lack sufficient rights-of-way in certain areas, Large areas of the state lack significant mileage requiring on road riding or walking and more of multi-use trails. In northwest Ohio, places user-attention at intersection crossings. lacking significant multi-use trails include Defiance, Paulding, Putnam and Van Wert Where resources are abundant, the physical counties. Further east, Hardin, Wyandot and condition of the state’s multi-use trails are Crawford counties form another cluster. In excellent. When resources are lacking, the southwest Ohio, there are large expanses of condition of the trails can suffer from lack Brown, Highland, Adams, Scioto, Pike, Jackson of maintenance and funds for major capital and Lawrence counties without a multi-use improvements, such as repairing geologically trail network. Finally, trails are relatively limited unstable corridors, bridge repair, and in the eastern and southeastern counties of replacement or repaving the trail’s surface. Perry, Morgan, Washington, Noble, Monroe, Guernsey and Jefferson counties. Developing CONCERNS multi-use trail and active transportation plans can help connect counties and municipalities A primary concern expressed to ODNR during that lack trail systems with people, places and the planning process is the lack of dedicated opportunities. funding for the long-term capital improvement funding for the multi-use trail system. Ohio’s CURRENT CONDITIONS own linear trail funding source, the Clean Ohio Trails program, funds the construction of new Ohio’s multi-use trails have mainly developed trails. It does not fund the reconstruction, on current or former transportation and utility capital improvement or expensive long-term rights-of- way and along river corridors. These maintenance like repaving a trail or replacing a trail corridors often span many governmental trail bridge. This concern is further addressed jurisdictions, which can cause fragmented and in the Funding chapter as it applies to many disconnected networks, along with inconsistent different trail types. management and maintenance. Another concern brought forth is the need Multi-use trails are increasingly being for more consistent management of the considered linear parks in both urban and system. When the trails are owned and rural areas. Trails in more rural settings tend managed by a multitude of communities, to be less accessible to local communities as care and management can vary widely they have less access points along them. In the depending upon the availability of local last 20 years, multi-use trails have increasingly resources. Larger communities tend to been developed in densely populated areas. have many more resources than smaller In some areas, multi-use trails, in the form of communities. Additionally, users of multi- side-paths, have taken the place of sidewalks. use trails expressed how these trails are These multi- use trails along major road marked and signed. Wayfinding information corridors in highly populated areas tend to has become an increasingly important aspect
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —98— of trail development. The Ohio to Erie Trail, users. Local government, trail collaborations for example, is Ohio’s major state multi-use and advocacy groups are working to address trail, but because it is managed by different these issues with varying degrees of success. entities, the signage and maps along its route Everything from analysis of trail development are inconsistent. The Ohio-to-Erie Trail Inc. priorities to programming and outreach to organization has worked diligently to create a underserved populations have been utilized as system for the trail, and where their signage is tactics to ensure that trail development moving deployed, users react positively. Central Ohio forward focuses on all areas and members of Greenways has also done commendable work communities that trails are being created in. in creating a regional signage policy to address this issue. Finally, trail managers are concerned about planning for and regulating novel forms of While multi-use trails have never been more personal transportation that provide trail popular, another concern brought forward users with a safe and comfortable experience by some trail planners and builders is as well as consistencies across management building better relationships and support with boundaries. These forms of transportation landowners adjacent to a trail project. Although include electric bicycles (e- bikes), electronic often unfounded, landowners have expressed scooters, electric skateboards and “one-wheel” concerns with trespassing, liability and negative vehicles. At the end of 2018, Governor John impacts to crops, livestock and property Kasich signed amended House Bill 250, which values. Consistent information provided to clarifies ORC regarding e-bikes. Class 1 (pedal landowners, including an explanation of the assist) and class 2 (pedal assist with a throttle) Ohio recreational use statute, could help e-bikes will be allowed on shared-use paths eliminate many of these concerns. Developing (multi-use trails) unless prohibited on the path partnerships early in the trail planning process, by the local regulations. as outlined further in the Partnerships and Collaboration chapter, is another way of Class 1 e-bikes feature pedal assist technology building support for a trail project. that allows the bike to reach speeds of 20 miles per hour. Class 2 e-bikes have pedals Trail developers are concerned about the but are throttle-powered as well, allowing the need for trails to serve a more diverse bike to travel up to 20 miles per hour without population, highlighting the need for equity peddling. If local trail managers pass more and inclusion to accommodate the needs restrictive e-bike regulations, the potential of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. In the exists to create inconsistencies on Ohio’s multi- past decades, trails have been developed in use trail network. The new legislation does an opportunistic manner in many settings not address the use of e-scooters, electronic across Ohio. Developers and advocates have skateboards or one-wheel vehicles on multi- recently spent more time contemplating use trails. whether this development has been done equitably for all Ohioans. Many surveys of trail users across Ohio have consistently shown that there are large population demographics that are largely underrepresented within trail
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Emerging Trends momentum for more active lifestyles that utilize alternative transportation alternative Finding: Novel personal transportation opportunities. options, including electronic scooters, bicycles, skateboards, monowheels and hoverboards, that provide alternatives to walking and Multi-Use Trails for Active bicycling are presenting new opportunities and Transportation challenges to trail managers and users. Finding: Multi-use trails are now seen as one Recommendation: The trail planning process part of a network of active transportation needs to continue to respond to emerging options in communities. trends. This will help guide planning and policy Recommendation: Trail plans should include that maximizes the benefits new technology on-street bike lanes, protected bike lanes, provides, helps mitigate unintended side paths, shared-lane marking and other consequences, and ensures coordination active transportation infrastructure when trail and consistency across land management construction is not feasible. boundaries. There are opportunities to develop design OPPORTUNITIES guidelines that could be implemented by trail builders to provide a more consistent Ohio has more than 1,000 miles of multi-use experience for trail users across the state. trails. There is a great opportunity for multi- As presented in and discussed further in the use trail planners, funders, and advocates to Trail Development chapter, there is a need determine priority corridors and networks that to establish statewide guidelines and the connect all the multi-use trail development best management practices for the design, completed in the last 50 years. More strategic construction, and operation and maintenance effort will help set Ohio apart as a national of multi- use trails. model for multi-use trails. Finally, throughout this process, numerous Priority Corridors trail planners and managers expressed that increased coordination between state and Finding: Priority corridors for the statewide local trail funders and planners could enhance multi-use system need to be established. the ability to access multiple funding sources, resulting in trail development that happens Recommendation: Establish a broad-based more quickly and is less expensive. statewide task force of multi-use trail planners, funders, advocates and developers to establish criteria for priority corridors.
Multi-use trail networks that are connected to neighborhoods, employment opportunities and other amenities are crucial for creating
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —100—
Opportunities for Coordination of Funding Agencies
Finding: Trail developers use multiple sources of local, federal and state funding to build multi-use trails.
Recommendation: Explore ways to increase coordination and understanding of the roles of ODNR, ODOT and metropolitan planning organizations in planning, funding and developing multi-use trails.
CONCLUSION
Multi-use trails are an important part of Ohio’s trail system. The Trails Advisory Team envisions a network that connects communities across Ohio. This network would strengthen local economies, invite tourists, provide recreation opportunities, and benefit overall health and wellness. Ohio has a strong start toward the completion of this network. By working together, Ohioans can build upon the current trail system, transforming it into a world-class opportunity.
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From the Survey– “I feel very fortunate, and proud to live in a state so committed to alternative transportation. Would love to see non-motorized alternatives everywhere!’’
Photo Courtesy of Jack Martin and Tri-State Trails
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —102—
NATURAL SURFACE HIKING TRAILS CHAPTER 11
Goal:
Provide a natural surface hiking trail in each community in Ohio.
Work to complete the Buckeye Trail and the North Country National Scenic Trail.
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Natural surface hiking trails are important for connecting Ohioans to nature and wildlife. They are among the most desired trail types by Ohioans, with more than 90 percent of the trails plan survey respondents indicating they use these trails. Nature trails, longer day hiking trails and overnight backpacking trails offer ways for Ohioans to explore our natural heritage. With the development of a nature trail in every Ohio community and the completion of two major backpacking trails, Ohio would become a destination for hiking and backpacking.
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —104—
WHAT ARE NATURAL Day hiking trails are used by hikers interested SURFACE TRAILS FOR in slower paced exploration of the outdoors, HIKING, RUNNING AND such as trail runners, organized groups such BACKPACKING? as scouts, wildlife watchers and participants of interpretive guided trips. These trails are Natural surface hiking trails are used by nature most commonly found on Ohio’s public lands and wildlife enthusiasts, walkers, hikers, and are some of the most heavily used trails backpackers and runners. They are typically in the state. The 6-mile Grandma Gatewood constructed in public natural areas like parks, section of the Buckeye Trail through Hocking forests and preserves, and they allow users Hills State Park and Hocking State Forest is one to connect with nature. The ideal conditions of the most popular examples of this trail type for sustainable natural surface trails are a trail in Ohio, but trails across the state have similar tread that is 18 to 24 inches wide with slopes characteristics. less than 10 percent. The surface is exposed native subsoil. Some hiking trails in Ohio have Overnight Backpacking Trails been widened and hardened to accommodate increased use and visitation. Ohio has fewer overnight backpacking trail opportunities in comparison to adjacent states. DESCRIPTION OF THE These trails are used by novice to expert EXISTING NATURAL backpackers and long-distance trail runners. SURFACE HIKING TRAIL Overnight backpacking is generally conducted SYSTEM by hiking organizations like the Buckeye Trail Association, park districts, scouting groups and groups of friends. Trail running can be Nature Trails done individually, with organized trail running Ohio’s nature trails at local parks generally groups or during large organized marathon cover short distances and highlight interesting events. Burr Oak State Park, Mohican-Memorial natural and cultural features. These trails are State Forest, Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail at generally used for leisurely walks and exercise, Wayne National Forest, Five Rivers Metroparks’ accommodating the greatest spectrum of Twin Valley Backpacking Trail and many user abilities. These trails are the most easily additional state forests have good examples of accessed by much of the population of Ohio overnight backpacking trails, all of which are and are very popular in the state. loops that return the hikers back to their point of origin.
Day Hiking Trails Ohio has few opportunities for multi-day backpacking, but there is a demand for this These trails are like local nature trails but they activity. Most of the demand is met by those extend for more than a mile and are often who travel to Pennsylvania’s Allegheny National more rugged. Day hikers will spend half a day Forest, West Virginia’s Monongahela National or a whole day on these trails before heading Forest’s Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, Kentucky’s home or staying in overnight accommodations.
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Daniel Boone National Forest’s Red River inconsistencies in natural surface trails are Gorge Geological Area and Michigan’s Upper common. Differences in maintenance standards, Peninsula. Shawnee State Forest’s 60-mile water erosion, trailhead facilities, wayfinding backpack trail system is the best multi-day signage, and trail planning and construction backpacking opportunity in Ohio. create an inconsistent user experience.
Long Distance Hiking Trails CONCERNS
Long distance hiking trails are unique in that Funding they connect many of the above-mentioned trails together to create the backbone of a trails Although the use of natural surface hiking network. Often, they incorporate other trail trails is one of the most popular recreational types, including multi-use trails, through urban activities in the state, there is concern among and suburban settings. In Ohio, the more trail users and managers about their future. than 1,400-mile Buckeye Trail is the primary Specifically, hiking trail advocates believe that example. This trail, originally envisioned in not enough consistent attention and funding 1958 and recognized as Ohio’s state trail by the has been given to these trails to maintain and legislature in 1967, is managed by the Buckeye expand them into world-class, destination Trail Association. It completes a circuit that opportunities. The creation of designated reaches all corners of the state. The 4,600-mile funding streams for hiking trails beyond North Country National Scenic Trail, officially the competitive Clean Ohio Trails Fund that recognized by Congress as a part of the primarily funds hard-surface multi-use trails National Scenic Trails system, crosses through is needed. The fund would be particularly Ohio as well. The North Country Trail shares useful if land managers, communities and much of its 1,000-mile route through Ohio nonprofit organizations were eligible to receive with the Buckeye Trail. Finally, the American grant dollars. Money for land acquisition, Discovery Trail, a system of recreational planning and design, project development trails and roads that spans the continent and implementation, volunteer support, trail coordinated by the American Discovery Trail maintenance costs, and signage and trailhead Society, utilizes the Buckeye Trail’s southern facilities are needed as well. sections. Funding Natural Surface Current Conditions Hiking Trails
The conditions of Ohio’s natural surface hiking Finding: Natural surface hiking trails are very trails vary greatly. While many of the state’s popular, highly used and desired. natural surface trails are well cared for, some Recommendation: Explore ways to provide have exceeded visitor capacity and exhibit more dedicated funding to support the extreme impacts from too many users. Others development and maintenance of sustainable suffer from vegetation overgrowth and lack of natural surface hiking trails. routine maintenance. Also, like other trail types,
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —106—
Importance of Partnerships Long Distance Hiking Trails Corridor Acquisition A frequent concern brought forward during the planning process is the need for better Finding: Significant stretches of the Buckeye communication across land management Trail and North Country Trail utilize road boundaries. To realize the Ohio Trails Vision, corridors. all levels of government will need to partner together to provide consistent hiking trail Recommendation: Expand and create user experiences. The Partnerships and additional backpacking opportunities by Collaborations chapter of this document identifying priority gaps, preserve existing highlights many ways trail users are partnering corridors, and fund corridor acquisition for across the state and offers a recommendation these long-distance natural surface hiking to address this concern. trails.
User Conflict Amenities for Backpackers
During public meetings and through the online In addition to filling gaps in long distance survey, trail users consistently brought up hiking trails, many backpackers would like concerns regarding user conflict. Many hikers more frequent and better camping and other expressed concern that their experiences amenities along these trails. can easily be disturbed by more intense trail uses, such as running, mountain biking or Backpacking Amenities motorized vehicles. This concern holds true for people who enjoy nature observation Finding: While Ohio has several natural surface and the solitude that a hiking trail offers. backpacking opportunities, the established User conflict is further discussed in the Trail trails need more camping opportunities and Development and Management chapter, and key amenities in strategic areas. a recommendation is proposed to develop educational opportunities that articulate Recommendation: Trail and land managers proper trail etiquette and behavior. should work together with backpackers to develop camping opportunities and other amenities in strategic locations along OPPORTUNITIES backpacking trails.
Corridor Acquisition Nature and Wildlife Targeted corridor acquisition to fill gaps and Observation preserve existing corridors of the Buckeye Trail and the North Country Trail will create long Respondents to the trails plan survey described distance hiking opportunities to compete with how hiking trails allow them to access and out-of-state destinations. connect to the natural world. They see nature trails as ways to conserve and access natural habitats.
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OHIO’S LONG DISTANCE HIKING TRAILS
Lake Ashtabula Lucas Williams Fulton Ottawa Geauga Cuyahoga Defiance Henry Wood Sandusky Erie Lorain Trumbull
Paulding Huron Summit Portage Seneca Medina
Putnam Mahoning Hancock Richland Van Wert Wyandot Crawford Ashland Wayne Stark Allen Columbiana
Hardin Marion Carroll Mercer Auglaize Holmes Morrow Jefferson Tuscarawas Knox Logan Shelby Coshocton Harrison Union Delaware
Darke Champaign Miami Licking Guernsey Belmont Franklin Muskingum Clark Madison
Montgomery Noble Preble Fairfield Greene Perry Monroe Pickaway Morgan Fayette Hocking Washington Butler Warren Clinton Ross Athens Vinton Hamilton Highland
Pike Meigs Clermont Jackson
Brown Adams Scioto Gallia
Lawrence
Buckeye Trail & North Country National Scenic Trail
North Country National Scenic Trail
Buckeye Trail American Discovery Trail
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —108—
Nature and Wildlife and support enthusiastic volunteer groups and Observation individuals would leverage labor, cooperation and community support of our public lands. Finding: Natural surface hiking trails are how The importance of volunteers is discussed many people experience nature and wildlife in both the Partnerships and Collaboration in Ohio. The development of natural surface chapter and the Development chapter. The hiking trails is a tool to aid conservation on a advisory team recommends developing best larger scale. management practices that allow volunteers to work more easily across the state. Recommendation: Ensure dedicated land conservation initiatives like the Clean Ohio Greenspace program continue to provide CONCLUSION additional natural surface hiking trail opportunities. Ohio’s natural surface hiking trails are in high demand. Many opportunities exist to connect people with nature. Completion of Ohio’s two Trail Guidelines major backpacking trails, the Buckeye Trail and the North Country Trail, would help the Creating agreed upon and consistent trail state become a destination for backpacking. management types, classes, design and By working together, trail managers and trail construction standards, as well as best users can create a world-class hiking trail management practices for trail management system in Ohio. along backpacking corridors, would help improve coordination between agencies and provide a better trail user experience.
Additionally, better coordination of wayfinding signage, interpretive signage and trailhead facilities would also increase the quality of the hiking experience. Since these concerns apply to many of Ohio’s trails, a recommendation is provided in the Trail Development chapter for the Trails Advisory Team to explore the development of statewide trail guidelines.
Volunteers
Volunteers are critical to the management and care of Ohio’s natural surface hiking trails. There are countless examples of how volunteers and land managers have worked together to be stewards of Ohio’s trails. Investment in coordinated efforts to manage
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —109—
From the Survey– “I would like to see the Buckeye Trail connected with much less road walking, and would like camping for backpackers to be more available on the Buckeye Trail as well as other Ohio trails.”
Photo Courtesy of Jack Martin and Tri-State Trails
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —110—
MOTORIZED TRAILS CHAPTER 12
Goal:
Provide at least two destination quality motorized trail experiences with overnight amenities and expand regional trail opportunities that meet the needs of motorized users.
Photo Courtesy of Wayne National Forest
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WHAT ARE MOTORIZED TRAILS?
Motorized trails are trails where the use of off-highway motorized vehicles is allowed. These trails include those used by riders of all-terrain vehicles (ATV), recreational off-highway vehicles (ROV, also known as “side-by-sides), utility task vehicles (UTV), and off-road and dual sport motorcycles.
Collectively, these vehicles are named differently by the two Ohio public motorized trail managers. Per state law, the ODNR Division of Forestry uses the term all-purpose vehicles (APV) while the USDA Forest Service calls them off-highway vehicles (OHV).
While there are currently no public trails that permit full-sized off-road 4x4 vehicles (“Jeeps”) in the state, these trails will be discussed further in the opportunities section of this chapter. The goal presented above is focused on opportunities for ATVs, ROVs, UTVs, and off-road and dual- sport motorcycles.
Snowmobile trails are also motorized trail opportunities. Because the opportunities are limited due to unreliable snowfall, Ohio is unlikely to become a destination for snowmobiling, but there are opportunities on public lands in state parks and state forests.
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —112—
OHIO’S MOTORIZED TRAILS
Lake Ashtabula Lucas Williams Fulton Ottawa ! Geauga Cuyahoga Defiance Henry Wood Sandusky Erie Lorain Trumbull
Paulding Huron Summit Portage Seneca Medina Putnam Hancock Ashland Mahoning
Van Wert Wyandot Crawford Wayne Stark Allen Richland Columbiana
Hardin Marion Carroll Mercer Auglaize Holmes Morrow Jefferson Tuscarawas Knox Logan Shelby Coshocton Union Delaware Harrison
Darke Champaign Miami Licking Guernsey Belmont Franklin Muskingum Clark Madison
Montgomery ! Noble Preble Fairfield Monroe Greene Perry Pickaway Morgan Fayette Hocking ! Washington Butler Warren Clinton Ross Athens Vinton Hamilton Highland ! ! Pike Meigs Clermont Jackson
Brown
Adams Scioto Gallia
! Lawrence
1. Maumee State Forest 2. Perry State Forest 3. Pike State Forest 4. Richland Furnace State Forest 5. Wayne National Forest - Athens Unit 6. Wayne National Forest - Ironton Unit
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DESCRIPTION OF THE Snowmobiling is also offered on a designated EXISTING MOTORIZED trail at Mohican-Memorial State Forest and is TRAIL SYSTEM permitted when conditions allow on the APV trails at Maumee State Forest. Snowmobiling There are two major providers of public on the ice of frozen lakes is also permitted motorized trails in Ohio: the ODNR Division of when conditions allow at the following state Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service through parks: Buckeye Lake, Grand Lake St. Marys, Wayne National Forest. The ODNR Division of Guilford Lake, Indian Lake, Lake Loramie, Lake Forestry operates four APV trail systems. The Milton and Portage Lakes. Wayne National Forest operates a significant OHV trail system in southeast Ohio on its CURRENT CONDITIONS Athens and Ironton Ranger Districts. In addition to motorized vehicles, both providers also Because there is dedicated funding for allow mountain biking on these trails. These motorized trails, the conditions of the opportunities are in southern and southeast motorized system, in general, have steadily Ohio, except for Maumee State Forest, which is improved. The ODNR Division of Forestry located in northwest Ohio. manages the State Recreational Vehicle Fund, established in ORC in 1999, to expand ODNR APV Trails recreational vehicle use on state land. This Name Length is funded by registration fees of recreational Maumee State Forest 7 miles vehicles like ATVs, UTVs, off-road motorcycles Pike State Forest 18 miles and snowmobiles. On average, ODNR has invested approximately $375,000 per fiscal Perry State Forest 20 miles year into improving motorized trails. With Richland Furnace 8 Miles this fund, ODNR has improved motorized trailheads by adding restrooms and additional Wayne National Forest OHV Trails amenities, acquired property for new trails, Forest Unit Name Length built new trails and improved existing trails. Athens Monday Creek 85 miles Ironton Hanging Rock 26 miles Funds have been spent on APV trails in state forests and on snowmobile trails in state parks. Ironton Superior 16.5 miles Additionally, the ODNR Division of Forestry Ironton Pine Creek 20 miles utilizes the competitive grants provided through the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). While Ohio’s state parks do not accommodate Wayne National Forest also heavily relies on off-highway motorized vehicles, snowmobiling RTP grant dollars to supplement annual federal is available in some state parks when appropriations and trail permit revenue to conditions allow. A combined 83 miles is maintain its OHV trail system. Wayne National available at Barkcamp, Buck Creek, East Forest has received hundreds of thousands Harbor, Geneva, Mosquito Lake, Punderson, of RTP dollars in grants in recent years to Salt Fork and Sycamore state parks. maintain trails, reconstruct trails and to provide rider educational materials.
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —114—
The physical conditions of the motorized trails differences in the timing when trails open and are quite different on state forest and national close for the year and what type of permits forest land. While the trails on state forests are are required. While both agencies close their often natural surface, those at Wayne National motorized trails for the winter season, the Forest are often hardened with gravel to help spring opening dates differ slightly between minimize soil erosion. This results in two very ODNR and the U.S. Forest Service, which can different trail riding experiences. result in heavy demand on the system that opens first and then leads to confusion over Finally, the width of the trail tread on systems which trails are open. Also, while all APVs are significantly different. The trails in state must register with the Ohio Bureau of Motor forests are designed to accommodate vehicles Vehicles, the use of trails in Wayne National as wide as 62 inches. This allows wider ROVs Forest requires a $35 seasonal permit or a that are driven with a steering wheel and three-day permit for $20. No additional trail accommodate passengers sitting next to each permit is needed for ODNR’s trails beyond the other (side-by-side). These family- friendly registration fee collected when registered with vehicles are becoming increasingly popular the state of Ohio. because they allow multiple people to travel together. However, on the trails in Wayne The two agencies that manage these trails National Forest, vehicles are limited to a width systems recognize these differences and of 50 inches or less, which excludes riders who are working together to better coordinate use wider vehicles from these trails. their systems for the benefits of riders. In late summer 2018, the agencies met with CONCERNS representatives of the motorized trail community to develop solutions to better align the rules of two trail systems. Both agencies have made great Rules and Regulations progress on aligning the opening and closing One of the major concerns regarding Ohio’s dates and expect to have these new dates in motorized trails system are the rule differences place for the 2019 riding season. between the two public trail providers. As detailed before, only vehicles 50 inches or narrower are allowed on the trails at the Rules and Regulations Wayne National Forest, while the ODNR Finding: The two major public motorized trails Division of Forestry allows wider vehicles. Trails providers (the ODNR Division of Forestry and in state forests are not as lengthy as some the U.S. Forest Service) have different rules and riders want, and the trails that do have this regulations. in-demand length at Wayne National Forest do not allow the increasingly popular wider ROV Recommendation: Continue the working vehicles. Ultimately, this leads many users to group established between the two agencies leave the state to ride on trails that have the and the motorized community to create better desired trail length (at least 50 miles) and allow alignment. wider vehicles.
Other concerns regarding rules are the
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —115—
User Conflict or use trail advocacy groups for volunteer management and labor. The benefits of using There is perhaps no more polarizing issue volunteers to assist with trail maintenance regarding Ohio’s trails than the expansion is discussed further in the Partnerships of motorized opportunities. While there is and Collaboration chapter and the Trail strong demand from owners of motorized Development chapter. vehicles, there is strong opposition as well. This opposition was voiced throughout the trails planning process by non-motorized trail users OPPORTUNITIES and wildlife conservationists. While the issue is polarizing, it is important to note that many Add and Improve Trails, motorized trail users also participate in other Amenities and Connections trail activities, as indicated by the results of There are many opportunities to expand the trails plan survey. Motorized trail users are the motorized trail system in Ohio. The often hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians destination quality trail systems that are in as well. demand have significant length (more than 50 miles long), accommodate a variety of Acceptance vehicles and offer trails that cater to a variety of skill levels. These needs include trails that Finding: While there is high demand for accommodate wide ROVs and single-track trails increased motorized trail opportunities used by off-road motorcycles. Users would from owners of vehicles, there is also strong like these systems to be connected by trail or opposition from non-motorized trail users. legal usable routes to fuel centers, overnight lodging, camping and supplies. Communities Recommendation: Create a forum that such as New Straitsville and Haydenville in brings together users from all sides of the southeast Ohio that are directly linked to a trail issue to develop possible solutions to increase system are experiencing economic benefits motorized opportunities in the state while from these trail connections. In addition to minimizing impacts to the environment, wildlife building destination trails, more close-to-home and existing recreational uses. opportunities like off-road parks that offer skill building experiences are wanted across the Funding for Maintenance state. The demand for public motorized trails The long-term maintenance of the existing is particularly strong in southwest, central, trails remains a concern, particularly for land northwest and northeast Ohio due to the lack management agencies like the U.S. Forest of existing opportunities. Finally, perhaps Service. While user demand has increased, the most frequently mentioned opportunity operational funding to maintain and expand in the online trails survey and the trails trails within Wayne National Forest has public meetings was the desire for trails that decreased. Trail managers must rely more accommodate full-size 4x4 off-road vehicles. heavily on dedicated funding through grants There is a strong demand for these trails.
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —116—
Needs of Users Public-Private Partnerships
Finding: The current motorized trails lack the Creating trail connections between private, desired connections to overnight facilities, county, state and federal land could greatly length and varying difficulties, and access increase trail mileage available to motorized to local communities to become destination users. While this would create the need for better quality trails. signage and education of users, other states have adopted this model to create destination quality Recommendation: Encourage trail developers motorized trails. To implement this system, a to consider needs unique to motorized users great deal of coordination and partnership would when designing trail systems for motorized have to occur. users by working with local municipalities to designate or permit legal routes to the desired amenities utilizing infrastructure such as Corridor Acquisition township, county and state routes. In addition to constructing motorized trails Finding: Motorized trail users are increasingly on recreational lands, other states have demanding wider trails to accommodate utilized transportation and utility corridors recreational off-highway vehicles, “side by for motorized opportunities. The acquisition sides” and utility vehicles, or more narrow, of corridors is further discussed in the single-track trails to accommodate off-road Development and Management chapter. motorcycles.
Recommendation: Encourage the CONCLUSION development of trails that are designed for Motorized trails are perhaps the most wider motorized vehicles and narrower single- polarizing trails issue in Ohio. There is a strong track trails. demand for increased opportunities from all motorized recreational vehicle owners. There is also strong opposition to expanding these Off-Road, 4x4, Full-Size opportunities on Ohio’s public lands. Motorized Vehicle Trails trail users frequently leave Ohio for destination Finding: Ohio has no public trails that opportunities in adjacent states that have more accommodate full-size off-road 4x4 vehicles. public and private riding opportunities than Ohio. Balancing the potential for motorized Recommendation: Institute a working opportunities on Ohio’s limited public group of land managers and user groups to recreational lands will be a challenge for land investigate the potential for public off-road full- managers. size 4x4 vehicle trails in Ohio. However, with improvements to the existing system and the addition of regional opportunities, Ohio can better meet the needs of motorized users.
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —117—
From the Survey– “Please add many more ATV/UTV trails through the state”
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —118—
MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAILS CHAPTER 13
Goal: Provide at least four destination quality trails that qualify for the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) EPIC Designation and two communities that are designated as IMBA Ride Centers.
Photo Courtesy of COMBO
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —119—
The International Mountain Bike Association’s (IMBA) mission is to create, enhance and protect places to ride mountain bikes, recognizes significant trails and communities that provide the nation’s best mountain biking experiences. IMBA has recognized one Ohio trail, the Mohican Mountain Bike Trail, as an IMBA EPIC ride. This EPIC designation denotes trails that provide true backcountry experiences, are technically and physically challenging, and serve as travel destinations for mountain bikers. They also must be at least 20 miles in length.
IMBA’s Ride Center designation is more encompassing and considers the diversity of mountain biking opportunities available in a community. IMBA Ride Centers feature extensive trail networks for mountain bikers of every skill level. Achieving four IMBA EPIC trails and at least two communities in the state designated as IMBA Ride Centers, Ohio would be transformed into a destination for mountain biking.
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —120—
OHIO’S PUBLIC MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAILS
!(17 Lucas Lake Ashtabula !(31 Williams Fulton !(7 !(4 Ottawa Geauga !(30 Defiance Henry Wood Sandusky Erie Cuyahoga!(5 Lorain !(25 Trumbull !(9 !(29 Portage Paulding !(37 Seneca Huron !(13 !(34 !(16 !41 Medina !(3 Summit !(23 Putnam Hancock Mahoning !(33
Van Wert Wyandot Crawford Ashland Wayne Stark Allen Richland Columbiana
Hardin Marion !(27 Carroll Mercer Auglaize Holmes Morrow Jefferson Tuscarawas Knox Logan Shelby Union Delaware Coshocton Harrison !(2 Miami Darke Champaign !( Muskingum 14 Licking !(11 Guernsey Belmont !(10 Franklin Clark Madison Fairfield !(19 !( !(21 8 Noble Preble Montgomery !( Greene Perry 20 Monroe Pickaway !( !(18 1 Morgan Fayette Washington !(6 Hocking !(38 Butler Warren Athens !(40 Clinton !(24 !(15 Ross !(22 !(36 Hamilton !(32 Vinton !( !(35 26 !(28 Highland
Clermont Pike Meigs Jackson !(12 Brown
Adams Scioto Gallia
!(39 Lawrence
WHAT IS A MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAIL? Mountain biking trails are typically natural smooth, flat, uphill or descending. Trails may surface trails optimized for mountain bike be built by hand or by machine. They may usage. In its simplest form, a mountain bike include natural obstacles like roots, rocks and trail consists of a sustainable, contoured dirt logs, and they may include man-made obstacles trail known as “single-track,” which contains like bridges and jumps. To be sustainable, a tread 18 to 36 inches wide with 8 feet of IMBA mandates a trail must 1.) protect the overhead canopy clearance. However, these environment; 2.) meet the needs of its users; features are flexible depending on the site, and 3.) require little maintenance; and 4.) minimize a variety of trails may be possible, including conflicts between different user groups. single- track, double-track, gravel or service roads. Trail surfaces may be rough, rocky,
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —121—
A. W. Marion State Park 1 Lake Milton State Park 23 Alum Creek State Park 2 Marietta Trail Network 24 Austin Badger Park 3 Mill Stream Run Reservation 25 Beach Ridge Bike Trail 4 Mitchell Memorial Forest 26 Bedford Reservation 5 Mohican State Park 27 Caesar Creek State Park 6 Mt. Airy Forest 28 Chapin Forest Reservation 7 Norwalk Reservoir 29 Chestnut Ridge Metro Park 8 Ohio and Erie Canal Reservation 30 Cuyahoga Valley National Park 9 Ottawa Jermain Park 31 Dillon State Park 10 Paint Creek State Park 32 Duke Park 11 Poland Municipal Forest Park 33 East Fork State Park 12 Reagan Park 34 Findley State Park 13 Scioto Trail State Forest 35 Gators Bike Park 14 Strouds Run State Park 36 Great Seal State Park 15 Van Buren State Park 37 Hampton Hills Metropark 16 Wayne National Forest - Athens 38 Unit Hogback Ridge Park 17 Wayne National Forest - Ironton 39 Hueston Woods State Park 18 Unit Huffman Metropark/ MoMBA 19 Wayne National Forest - Marietta 40 Jesse Owens State Park 20 Unit John Bryan State Park 21 West Branch State Park 41 Lake Hope State Park 22
Longer trail systems are provided at Mohican- DESCRIPTION OF THE Memorial State Forest, Dillon State Park, EXISTING MOUNTAIN Lake Hope State Park, Great Seal State Park BIKING TRAIL SYSTEM and Wayne National Forest. When mountain biking first developed in the state, Ohio trails Ohio has hundreds of existing miles of public were mostly in remote, non-urban areas, mountain biking trail. The trail systems have and they largely lacked connectivity to other been constructed in state parks, park district bicycle infrastructure, such as paved paths or lands, local parks, state forests, Wayne National bike lanes. Recently, Five Rivers Metroparks, Forest and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Metroparks Toledo, Cleveland Metroparks, Most trails are 5 to 10 miles in length, and are and Columbus and Franklin County loops, or loops with optional connecting trails.
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —122—
Metroparks have made great strides providing There are inconsistencies in maintenance opportunities in urban and suburban settings, and design standards, which make it difficult but most of the state’s trail mileage remains in to maintain trails. There are many different rural areas. groups throughout the state working with a variety of different landowners, whom all Riding experiences on Ohio’s trails vary largely have different standards and expectations. in accord with Ohio’s mixed topography. Maintenance standards either have a specific Mountain biking trails have a wide range of finished effect or are based on the following: composition, including sandy soil, rocky soil population proximity, overall feel of the system, and water-holding clay. The trails also range specific forest and soil composition, and other from hilly to flat, depending on the location local variables. The standards are agreed upon within the state. Trails in Ohio do not currently by local invested partners. Working together in offer the diverse riding experiences relating to partnership with land managers is challenging the difficulty and type of trail that riders desire but is the most favorable route to create today. Most trails are built with a single loop unique trail experiences. for intermediate level riders. There is a mix of old and new trails in Ohio. There are many areas in the state that lack Due to lack of access, most groups are hesitant significant mileage of mountain biking trails to close an “old” trail because there are no to meet the needs of the users. The large options for replacement. Many “old,” i.e., populated areas of the state are underserved. damaged or unsustainable trails, could be Geographically, there are fewer trails in fixed with rerouting or machine work, but these options are often unavailable due to western Ohio. land manager policies or because they are too expensive. Most of the trails in the state have CURRENT CONDITIONS been developed in the last 20 years and built with some standards that allow sustainability. Mountain biking trails are generally maintained They were all hand-built, which provides more well. However, the mountain bike community maintenance challenges in the long run, but perceives that there is a lack of funding and overall the majority of the miles of trail are in oversight from land managers. This means very good shape. Many of the trails could use that most of Ohio’s mountain bike trail system minor reroute work to improve drainage, which is constructed and maintained by volunteers. would likely reduce maintenance needs. This presents three challenges: 1.) time; 2.) money; and 3.) manpower. It also means that trails are maintained at a level that is achievable by volunteers only so opportunities for development that would require significant investment of machinery or time are not realized. Major maintenance, such as rerouting of poorly designed trail sections, is challenging under these conditions.
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —123—
more challenging terrain or continue mountain CONCERNS biking as they age. A primary concern about their use is that these bikes may impact the Access to Public Lands sustainability of trails by increasing erosion, requiring more maintenance and shortening Mountain bike advocates perceive there is a the life of trails. Amended House Bill 250, lack of cooperation from land managers to signed in late 2018, permits class 1 and 2 e- open lands for more recreational trails. These bikes on shared-use paths (multi-use trails). concerns are often rooted in land managers’ This bill specifically prohibits e-bike use on limited budgets to maintain additional trails, natural surface trails used for mountain biking potential for user conflict, and concern that or any other public single-track natural surface trails would harm wildlife or the environment. trail historically reserved for nonmotorized use. The legislation states that e-bikes may only be Access to Public Lands permitted on public designated nonmotorized natural surface trails by the managing agency Finding: While a shift over the past 20 years through resolution, ordinance or rule that has occurred statewide with land managers specifically authorizes e-bikes on those trails. becoming more accepting to mountain biking as a recreational opportunity, the mountain bike community would like increased access to Trailheads and Amenities public lands Several of the existing mountain bike systems, Recommendation: Create a forum that brings particularly in Ohio State Parks, were built by together mountain bikers and land managers volunteers over time. As miles were added, to promote the development of sustainable the trails have become true destination mountain bike trails. This will help overcome experiences. However, the associated user the perception that mountain biking has a high access facilities have not necessarily been impact on the landscape. upgraded over time, and many trailhead facilities are beyond capacity. The presence of wayfinding signage and mapping is also Electric Mountain Bikes an emerging concern in the face of growing demand for mountain bike trails. Working in Another emerging concern facing the mountain partnership with land management staff to biking community is the use of e-bikes. Some communicate amenity upgrades for volunteer- e-bikes are specifically built for mountain biking built trails is critical. and look very similar to standard mountain bikes. However, they contain batteries and electric motors that offer pedal-assist (class 1) or throttle-assist (class 2) capabilities. The use of e-bikes is a polarizing issue among mountain bikers with strong opinions for and against their use. E-bikes allow riders with less or diminished physical capability to access
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —124—
OPPORTUNITIES EPIC Trail and Ride Center Possibilities The development of trails that are recognized More Trail Mileage as IMBA as EPICs is a good measure of mountain biking success. Additionally, In general, there is an opportunity to increase the development of IMBA Ride Centers, a the number of mountain bike opportunities designation that considers the diversity of in the state. In addition to the destination mountain biking opportunities available in a experiences in rural areas, mountain bikers community, are also important to develop. would like to have more experiences closer to Currently, Ohio possesses one IMBA EPIC, the the major population centers. mountain biking trail at Mohican State Park and Mohican-Memorial State Forest. This recognition is a significant achievement for Diverse Trail Experiences Ohio, as there are only 40 of these trails in Connected to Bicycle the United States. With additional upgrades Infrastructure and connections to the adjacent town of As discussed previously, most of Ohio’s Loudonville, the area could potentially qualify mountain bike trails cater to intermediate skill for status as an IMBA ride center. levels with relatively few opportunities for beginners and advanced users. Additionally, A significant additional opportunity that could the trail systems that do exist are often isolated qualify as an IMBA EPIC include the proposed from existing bicycle infrastructure and other Baileys Trail System at the Wayne National trail types. Mountain bikers are looking for Forest outside of Athens. This partnership opportunities to easily connect by bike to multi- led effort seeks to construct 88-miles of use trails, bike lanes and other trail types. professionally designed single-track trails for mountain bikers of all skill levels. The project is currently in the funding stages, with the total Diversity of Trail Experiences costs estimated to be $2-4 million, including and Connectivity the creation of trailhead facilities. Planners expect this trail system to be a destination Finding: Current mountain bike trails in for mountain bikers from across the eastern Ohio offer similar experiences that cater United States. Over time, this system would to intermediate rather than entry level or be a candidate for IMBA EPIC designation. advanced rider abilities. Because it will offer a wide diversity of skill levels and be connected to several Recommendation: Land managers and local communities are encouraged to explore communities in the area, it also has strong opportunities to develop introductory and potential to qualify as an IMBA Ride Center. advanced skill building experiences that are Members of the greater Chillicothe community preferably connected to existing bicycling are also looking into becoming an IMBA Ride infrastructure. Center. The group has reached out to IMBA for help and guidance. With a great amount of
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —125— public land with rugged terrain surrounding offers a destination trail to more travelers in the city and established trails at nearby Great Ohio. The planned Baileys Trail System will Seal State Park, there is potential for both IMBA be another major addition. Ohio has great EPIC and Rider Center status with increased potential to upgrade existing trail systems and trail mileage in the area. add additional trail mileage closer to the state’s major urban centers to provide more riding Other areas with potential for development experiences closer to home. Ultimately, with mountain bike destinations include the mid- the development of more IMBA EPIC trails and central Ohio counties of Knox and Holmes the creation of designated IMBA Ride Centers, and the Dayton area, which has embraced Ohio will become a leader in providing world- mountain biking. class mountain biking opportunities
CONCLUSION
Mountain biking has become an increasingly popular activity over the last 20 years in Ohio. With the designation of the Mohican Mountain Bike Trail as an IMBA EPIC, the state now
From the Survey– “Ohio has the geography and terrain in large areas of the state to build world class modern mountain bike trails and become a regional destination for mountain biking”
Photo Courtesy of COMBO
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —126—
EQUESTRIAN TRAILS CHAPTER 14
Goal: Provide and improve destination quality equestrian trails throughout the state.
Photo Courtesy of MORPC
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —127—
Ohio has an excellent equestrian trail system. However, it was clear during the planning process that equestrians would like to see the amenities associated with these trails improved across the state.
Improving signage, camping facilities, parking and restrooms are all critical to ensuring our equestrian trails continue to be a destination. The trails at Hocking State Forest and Mohican- Memorial State Forest are the most popular destination for members of the Ohio Horseman’s Council, a group of members who advocate for equestrian trails statewide.
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —128—
WHAT IS AN DESCRIPTION OF THE EQUESTRIAN TRAIL? EXISTING EQUESTRIAN TRAIL SYSTEM Equestrian trails include those that offer horseback and mule riding, but also includes Ohio has a robust equestrian trail system driving, where equines are hitched to a cart, with approximately 1,800 of miles available carriage or similar vehicle. Equestrians prefer for riding, with relatively few opportunities trails with native soil single- track (2 to 6 feet for driving. The riding opportunities are well in width) or multi-track (12 feet in width) with distributed throughout the state, with western less than 12 percent elevation changes. Trails Ohio containing the fewest trails. The Ohio suitable for driving carts or carriages may be Horseman’s Council surveys its membership either native soil or improved surfaces that each year to determine which trails are the are relatively wide with less than 2 percent most popular measured by number of miles elevation change. Trails need high overhead ridden. The top 15 public systems out of clearance adequate for mounted riders to pass the more than 100 equestrian trail systems safely. Trail length is variable, with rides of two available across the state in 2017 were: to five hours, or 5 to 25 miles in length being typical. Trails on the higher end of this range 1. Hocking State Forest provide multi-day riding opportunities that serve as more desirable overnight destinations. 2. Mohican-Memorial State Forest 3. Oak Openings Preserve Metropark Equestrians require a trailhead where riders (Metroparks Toledo) can conveniently and safely offload horses and 4. Tar Hollow State Forest equipment, park vehicles and large trailers, and safely secure their horses. Water suitable 5. South Chagrin Reservation (Cleveland Metroparks) for consumption by the equines is also needed at trailheads and along the trail. A designated 6. Sycamore State Park disposal area for manure is suggested. 7. Strouds Run State Park 8. Pike State Forest Riders have shared they would like to see signage indicating trail location, intersections 9. Beaver Creek State Park and a return route. Permanent mounting 10. Carlisle Reservation (Lorain County Metro blocks allow riders to easily mount and Parks) dismount their equines. Restrooms with 11. Hinckley Reservation (Cleveland potable water and trash receptacles are Metroparks) preferred, but not required. Designation as to 12. Rocky River Reservation (Cleveland the trail difficulty is suggested but not required. Metroparks) Where overnight camping is permitted at or 13. Caesar Creek State Park near the trailhead, areas exclusive to equines are preferred. Pull-through campsites that 14. Brecksville Reservation (Cleveland can accommodate multi-horse living quarters Metroparks) trailers would benefit equestrians. 15. Alum Creek State Park
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —129—
These opportunities are well distributed, located in both rural and urban areas, contain CONCERNS destination and day-use facilities, and they are managed by both state and local recreation Sharing the Trails providers. The federal government provides Equestrians prefer trails that are designated equestrian trails at Wayne National Forest and for equine use only to reduce the possibility of at Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Many of horses being spooked, which would result in a the larger park districts in the state also offer potential hazard for the equine, rider and other equestrian trails. trail users. The equestrian community believes that mechanical or motorized users should CURRENT CONDITIONS never share equine trails.
Many equestrian trails are in good to excellent Mountain bikes may also frighten equines shape, but others need maintenance. The if they approach horses quickly without trail systems are typically managed by ODNR, announcement. park districts and the U.S. Forest Service, and While many trail systems have overnight they are commonly assisted with routine camping areas that accommodate equestrians, maintenance by volunteer groups such as many trail riders are concerned about the Ohio Horseman’s Council. Some trails in the shared-use of these facilities by non- the system were laid out without the benefit equestrians. In existing shared-use areas, these of trail professionals and are a challenge concerns can be addressed by ensuring there to maintain. Common maintenance needs is signage to educate the public about the risks include cutting back of vegetation, clearing with equines and proper trail etiquette. downed trees, and maintaining bridges and culverts across waterways. Often, equestrians must share trails with other users, including Sharing Equestrian Trails people who are hiking and mountain biking. Some overnight facilities are dedicated to Finding: There is great concern from equestrian campers only while other facilities equestrians regarding interactions between offer designated equestrian sites within the equines and people who do not own equines. campgrounds. Recommendation: Where users must share Support facilities are important complements common areas with other users, implement to equestrian trails. Many trailheads and signage to educate the public about the risks overnight facilities need upgrades, including associated with equines and proper trail more space for parking, and parking surfaces etiquette. suitable for heavy trucks and trailers. The best facilities have tie lines, dedicated manure disposal, potable water, restrooms and Trail Sustainability mounting blocks. Another major concern regarding equestrian trails is their long-term sustainability. Benched
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —130—
AEP Conesville Horse Area 1 Mary Jane Thurston State Park 51 AEP Gavin 2 Maumee State Forest- Camp Bridle Trail 52 AEP ReCreation Land 3 Miami Whitewater Forest- Hamilton County 53 Allardale Park 4 Miami Whitewater Forest- Shaker trace 54 Alum Creek State Park 5 Mill Stream Run Reservation 55 Barkcamp State Park 6 Mohican Valley Trail 57 Bath Nature Preserve 7 Mohican-Memorial State Forest- Lodge Trailhead 56 Beartown Lakes Rservation 8 Mosquito Lake State Park 58 Beaver Creek State Park 9 Mount Airy Forest 59 Big Creek Park- Tupelo Pond 10 Mt Gilead State Park 60 Blue Rock State Forest 11 North Chagrin Reservation 61 Brecksville Reservation 12 Oak Openings Preserve Metropark 62 Brush Creek State Forest 13 Paint Creek State Park 63 Buck Creek State Park 14 Penitentiary Glen Park 64 Burr Oak State Park 15 Perry State Forest 65 Caesar Creek State Park 16 Pike Lake State Forest and State Park 66 Carlisle Reservation 17 Pleasant Hill Lake Park 67 Carriage Hill MetroPark 18 Possum Creek MetroPark 68 Chapin Forest Reservation 19 Prairie Oaks Metro Park 69 Charlemont Reservation 20 Quail Hollow State Park 70 Cuyahoga Valley National Park 21 Rocky Fork Metro Park 71 Dean State Forest 22 Rocky River Reservation 72 Deer Creek State Park 23 Salt Fork State Park 73 Dillon State Park 24 Scioto Trail State Forest 74 East Fork State Park 25 Sebald Park 75 Edison Woods Preserve 26 Shaw Woods 76 Englewood MetroPark 27 Shawnee State Forest 77 George Rogers Clark Park 28 Silver Creek Metro Park 78 Girdled Road Reservation 29 Slate Run Metro Park 79 Glacier Ridge Metro Park 30 South Chagrin Reservation 80 Great Seal State Park 31 Strouds Run State Park 81 Hammertown Lake 32 Sugar Creek MetroPark 82 Harrison State Forest 33 Swine Creek Reservation 83 Headwaters Park 34 Sycamore State Park 84 Headwaters Trail 35 Tar Hollow State Forest 85 Heritage Trail Metro Park 36 Thayer Ridge Park 86 Hinckley Reservation 37 The West Woods 87 Hocking Hills State Forest and State Park 38 Twin Creek MetroPark 88 Holmes County Bridle Trail 39 Unger Park 89 Hueston Woods State Park 40 Van Buren State Park 90 Infirmary Mound Park 41 Walborn Reservoir 91 Jefferson Lake State Park 42 Wellington Reservation 92 Kipton Reservation 43 West Branch State Park 93 Kiser Lake State Park 44 Whitacre Greer Bridle Trails 94 Kyle Park 45 White Star Park 95 Lake Snowden 46 Winton Woods 96 Letha House Park 47 Zaleski State Forest 97 Little Miami State Park 48 Lobdell Reserve 49 Malabar Farm State Park 50
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —131—
OHIO’S EQUESTRIAN TRAILS
Lake Ashtabula Lucas !29 Fulton !64 !1 0 Williams !61!1 9 !62 Ottawa Geauga!34 !52 !80 !87 !83 !51 !72 Cuyahoga Defiance Henry Wood !95Sandusky Erie !26 !8 !58 Lorain !55 Trumbull !1 7 !1 2 !21 !35 !43 !37 !4!7 !76 Paulding !90 Seneca Huron !92 !93 !47Medina Summit !20 Portage Putnam Ashland Mahoning Hancock !78 !70 !91 Van Wert Wyandot Crawford Wayne !89 Stark Allen Richland Columbiana !9 !67 Hardin !50!56 !94 Marion Carroll Mercer Auglaize !60 Holmes Morrow !39 Tuscarawas !42 Knox !57 Logan Shelby Delaware !86 !33 Jefferson Union Coshocton !5 Harrison !44 !1 Darke Champaign !30 !71 !73 !49Licking Guernsey Miami !36 !6 !41 !69 !24 !45 !1 4 Franklin Muskingum Belmont !28 Clark !27 !1 8 Madison !11 !84 Noble Preble !79 Fairfield !65 !68 Greene Perry Monroe Montgomery !3 !48 !23 Pickaway !40 !82 Morgan !88 Fayette !75 !1 6 !1 5 Hocking Washington Butler Warren Clinton !31 !38 Ross !81 !54 !85 !53 !96 !63 Vinton !97 Athens !74 !46 !59 Highland !66 Hamilton Pike Meigs !25 !32 Clermont Jackson !2 Brown !1 3
Adams Scioto Gallia !77 !22 Lawrence
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —132— natural surface or hardened trails that are contoured to the landscape are the most UPGRADE TRAILHEAD durable and suffer the least erosion, requiring AND CAMPING less maintenance. In many areas of the state, FACILITIES trail conditions may be muddy, swampy or boggy. These conditions are particularly hard One of the major opportunities for on riders and equines because they can get upgrading Ohio’s equestrian trail system stuck, lose shoes and experience injuries. is the improvement of the support Erosion at the leading or trailing edges of facilities. As user needs have changed, bridges and culverts are potential equine many overnight equestrian facilities hazards as well. in the state remain rather primitive. Adding adequate parking for larger trailers, shelter, water, electric, tie-up Trail Sustainability facilities, mounting blocks, signage and maps will ensure the trails are meeting Finding: Much of the equestrian trail system in the needs of today’s equestrians. Ohio was not planned and constructed using sustainable methods. Camping and Trailhead Encourage land managers Recommendation: Facilities to assess equestrian trails to determine if they can be redesigned and upgraded to have Finding: Ohio is a destination for equestrian less impact on the landscape and require less trail users, however, equestrians would like the maintenance. amenities to be upgraded on existing trails
Recommendation: Explore the possibilities of OPPORTUNITIES upgrading day-use trailheads and the overnight amenities of equestrian camps across the Trail Mileage state.
Ohio has many opportunities for equestrians to ride trails. There is always CONCLUSION opportunity to increase the mileage of the existing systems. Systems that Ohio has an excellent equestrian trail contain at least 25 miles of trail serve system that is used by Ohioans and serves as the best overnight destinations. as a destination to those from surrounding However, the state has relatively few states. To continue to meet the needs of our opportunities for driving carts or equestrians, work is needed. Trails that are not carriages on public lands. Adding these sustainably constructed will need significant experiences to equestrian trail systems maintenance and upgrades in the coming is another opportunity to upgrade years. Additionally, support facilities will need Ohio’s trails. to be upgraded as the needs of equestrians change. By addressing the major concerns
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —133— and taking advantage of opportunities, Ohio is well positioned to remain a leader in providing excellent equestrian trails.
From the Survey– “We are so fortunate to have so many great parks in Ohio and so many great equestrian trails!”
Photo Courtesy of Wayne National Forest
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —134—
WATER TRAILS CHAPTER 15
Goal:
Increase the total mileage of designated water trails in the state to 1,200 miles.
Photo Courtesy of Stark Parks
The Ohio Trail Vision 2019 —135—
Ohio is fortunate to have thousands of miles of beautiful river corridors that provide world- class recreational opportunities. Paddlers have taken advantage of these opportunities in recent years with the total number of registered non-motorized craft rising from 68,000 in 2006 to more than 257,000 in 2018. Today, ODNR has dedicated more than 650 miles of Ohio’s waterways as 11 state water trails.
Reaching a goal of 1,200 miles of water trails would increase opportunities for Ohio to become a destination for paddlers.
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —136—
In Ohio, the chief of the ODNR Division of Parks WHAT ARE WATER and Watercraft designates waterways as state TRAILS? water trails. The program began in the mid- 2000s with the designation of a portion of the Water trails are marked routes on navigable Kokosing River. Today, more than 650 miles waterways such as rivers, lakes, canals and of Ohio’s waterways have been designated. coastlines for recreational use. Paddling The three water trails managed by the Miami already occurs on these waters for kayaks, Conservancy District, known collectively as the canoes, stand-up paddleboards, inner tubes Great Miami River Watershed Trail, have also and small motorized recreational boating, but been designated by the U.S. Department of the in the creation of a water trail, communities Interior as Ohio’s only national water trail. along the stream or lake work together to identify all public access points, facilities and permanent hazards. Safety information, CURRENT CONDITIONS contact resources and important natural, cultural and historical features along the ODNR provides some initial funds to create waterway are also identified. All of this water trails, but they are planned, supported information is shared with the public through and managed locally. This has resulted in a signage, brochures and online maps to create a variety of water trail types and conditions better paddling experience. across the state. Some water trails have been developed on the entire extent of a navigable stream due to the presence of an organization DESCRIPTION OF THE to manage the trail as it crosses jurisdictional EXISTING OHIO STATE- boundaries. Other trails contain only certain DESIGNATED WATER sections of a natural riverway because support TRAIL SYSTEM was not able to be obtained, or a partnership was not formed to designate the entire length Each designated state water trail is supported of a given system. The best water trails are by a local sponsor or water trail partnership developed along the entire extent of a natural group that coordinates and manages the trail body of water and contain a management as it crosses political and land management structure that allows for communication across boundaries. To be designated, communities land management and political boundaries. must demonstrate to ODNR that the planning process has included public input and gained ODNR has required all designated state water support from local government. Additionally, trails to have a map and safety brochure of the local partners must present a mapping and the water trail, but such information varies for signage plan that includes waterway safety these trails. Metroparks Toledo developed an information. The local partners must also extensive signage system for the most recently commit to the long-term stewardship of the designated trail, the Maumee River. With their trail. Once these conditions are satisfied, ODNR signage system, they identified each access potentially funds brochures and/or signage site at the water’s edge and at the roadway, developed by the local water trail partnership. making it easy for paddlers to access the river.
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In addition, Metroparks Toledo developed an a serious danger. To address these concerns, innovated website to help familiarize paddlers ODNR will examine each dedicated state water with the trail. trail to ensure signage is installed that provides adequate warnings to paddlers. CONCERNS Marking Permanent Hazards One of the recurring concerns regarding water trails and paddling in general along Ohio’s Finding: Lowhead dams and other permanent streams is whether paddlers should skip a hazards remain a threat to the safety of paddling trip due to hazardous conditions. paddlers. There is an increasing desire to develop a type of system that would help paddlers better Recommendation: Ensure that all permanent determine if river conditions are conducive hazards on the state’s dedicated water trails to recreation based on water quality, river have adequate signage both upstream and flow, hazards like woody debris and skill level downstream warning paddlers of hazards. of the paddler. Ultimately, this is a complex issue since there is always risk associated with paddling on Ohio’s waterways. To address this concern, the Miami Conservancy District OPPORTUNITIES is developing an online tool to help paddlers make better decisions regarding when to While many Ohio water trails have been paddle on the streams in the Great Miami River developed, there are many more streams Watershed. Cuyahoga Valley National Park has and waterways that would benefit from the created an internal risk assessment that could establishment of a water trail. Water trail be utilized in some capacity for the public to projects currently in the planning stages assess risk. These systems could potentially be are the Blanchard River, Lake Erie islands, adopted across the state. Tuscarawas River, Cuyahoga River and the Portage River. ODNR has received inquiries regarding water trail development on the Ohio, Paddling Conditions Sandusky and Hocking rivers, the shoreline of Lake Erie and more. There are additional Finding: Recreational paddlers are increasingly bodies of water that have the adequate in need of more information to help plan their accesses for water trail development, but local paddle excursions based on environmental communities may not know about the potential conditions. for water trail development. Other streams Recommendation: Develop a pilot system on and inland reservoirs around the state are a state water trail to help paddlers decide if excellent opportunities for paddling, but they river conditions match their skill level. do not have enough public access sites or local support to be designated water trails. The presence of lowhead dams and other permanent hazards on Ohio’s waterways pose
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Water Trail Name Length Manager
East Sandusky Bay Water Trail 15 miles Erie Metroparks
Great Miami River Water Trail 156 miles Miami Conservancy District
Kokosing River Water Trail 28 miles Knox County Park District
Mad River Water Trail 65 miles Miami Conservancy District
Mahoning River Water Trail 23 miles Trumbull County Metroparks
Maumee River Water Trail 100 miles Metroparks Toledo
Mohican River Water Trail 28 miles Knox County Park District
Muskingum River Water Trail 112 miles ODNR Parks and Watercraft
Olentangy River Water Trail 9 miles City of Columbus
Stillwater River Water Trail 92 miles Miami Conservancy District
Vermilion-Lorain Water Trail 27 miles Lorain County Metro Parks
With the increase in recreational paddling in Awareness Ohio, state-designated water trails offer an excellent opportunity to engage these new Finding: While recreational paddling has nearly users. However, without knowledge of the quadrupled since 2006, users are unaware that state’s water trails, paddlers will not be able Ohio has a state-designated water trail system. to take advantage of the benefits they offer. Recommendation: Develop a marketing tool While ODNR may provide reimbursement that is widely distributed across Ohio that funding to print brochures for local water trail highlights each state water trail. managers, there is a need for marketing efforts to collectively promote the state’s designated Over time, the expectations of paddlers have water trails. increased. There is opportunity to work with local water trail managers to examine each
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OHIO’S STATE WATER TRAILS
Lake Ashtabula Lucas Williams Fulton Ottawa Geauga Cuyahoga Defiance Henry Wood Sandusky Erie Lorain Trumbull
Paulding Huron Summit Portage Seneca Medina Putnam Hancock Ashland Mahoning
Van Wert Wyandot Crawford Wayne Stark Allen Richland Columbiana
Hardin Marion Carroll Mercer Auglaize Holmes Morrow Jefferson Tuscarawas Knox Logan Shelby Coshocton Union Delaware Harrison
Darke Champaign Miami Licking Guernsey Belmont Franklin Muskingum Clark Madison
Noble Preble Montgomery Fairfield Greene Perry Monroe Pickaway Morgan Fayette Hocking Washington Butler Warren Clinton Ross Athens Vinton Hamilton Highland
Pike Meigs Clermont Jackson
Brown
Adams Scioto Gallia
Lawrence
East Sandusky Bay Water Trail Mahoning River Water Trail Olentangy Water Trail
Great Miami River Water Trail Maumee River Water Trail Stillwater River Water Trail
Kokosing River Water Trail Mohican River Water Trail Vermilion Lorain Water Trail
Mad River Water Trail Muskingum River Water Trail
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources —140— existing designated water trail and make recommendations for improvements of the trail’s amenities. Maps, informational kiosks, additional access points, access upgrades, portage upgrades, potable water, restrooms, addition of overnight camping areas, and hazard signage are suggestions for improving the quality of Ohio’s water trails. Additionally, developing programming and events can also help enhance a water trail.
Water Trail Improvement
Finding: The desired amenities for water trails have become more robust since the state water trail program began.
Recommendation: Examine each water trail created since the program’s inception and make recommendations for potential upgrades of the trail.
CONCLUSION
Ohio has seen a great deal of growth in the number of registered hand-powered watercraft since ODNR created a water trail program in the mid-2000s. The state also possesses many excellent opportunities to paddle on its multiple streams, lakes and reservoirs. Ohio is well-positioned to become a destination for recreational paddling by maintaining a strong water trail program, improving existing water trails and working with local communities to develop additional water trails.
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From the Survey– “Kayaking is taking off. Kayakers are hitting the rivers in droves.”
Photos Courtesy of Metroparks Toledo
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CONCLUSION CHAPTER 16
Photo Courtesy of Stark Parks
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The Ohio Trails Vision creates a path forward for Ohio to continue being a national leader in developing trails while recognizing that trails provide significant economic and community benefits.
While this plan has been produced by ODNR, it was developed with the input of thousands of Ohioans. The Trails Advisory Team was made up of advocates, planners and managers that represent constituents across the state. The regional meetings reached more than 290 trail professionals and users. The 7,602 responses to the public trails survey provided valuable feedback.
The Trails Advisory Team’s primary responsibilities were to set the vision, goals and help craft the final findings and recommendations that were created after gathering public input. This team’s knowledge and experience in developing and managing trails was key to the success of the project.
ODNR is the steward of The Ohio Trails Vision. ODNR will work with the advisory team to prioritize the findings and recommendations. After prioritization, the advisory team will develop strategies for implementation. Many of the findings and recommendations were written in a broad, general sense and can also be used by any community wishing to develop trails. Partnerships will be key to implementing and realizing the vision.
From an ODNR perspective, the trail inventory findings and recommendations are the next critical responsibility for the agency. The goals laid out in this plan can only be measured with a comprehensive trail inventory. The inventory is available at trails.ohiodnr.gov.
Finally, while the intensive public input phase has ended, ODNR and the Trails Advisory Team will continue to accept feedback and respond to emerging trends, opportunities and concerns. To provide comment, please email [email protected].
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS In addition to the members of the Trails Advisory Team, the following individuals provided help and assistance to the project:
Photo Courtesy of Mill Creek MetroParks
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Ohio Department Hocking Hills Tourism Of Natural Resources Association
Mary Fitch Karen Raymore ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Marlin Holloway Shaun Casbarro Stark Parks Janet Steele Corianne Kocarek Natalie Pirvu Caitlin McCully Judi Love Justin Laps Glen Cobb
Michael Bailey
Susie Vance Metroparks Toledo
Laura Jones Emily Zeigler
Mindy Bankey Chris Smalley
Stephanie Leis
Jason Fallon COMBO Matt Eiselstein Heidi Coulter Bethany McCorkle
Brian Cartwright
Eric Shlapack Ohio Horseman’s Council
Arden Simms
TourismOhio
Matt MacLaren
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APPENDIX
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Regional Meeting Attendee •• Clinton County Trails Coalition • Overview • COMBO – Central Ohio Mountain Bike Association •• CORA – Hueston Woods Trail Crew •• More than 290 people attended •• Columbus Recreation and Parks Department •• Cuyahoga County Planning •• 15 types of organizations were •• Delaware County Preservation Parks represented •• Delaware County Regional Planning •• Delaware County Trail Committee •• More than 130 organizations attended •• Delaware General Health District •• Five Rivers Metroparks Organizations that were represented: •• Friends of the Little Miami Sate Park •• FLVT •• Adams County Economic and Community •• Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails Development •• Forest Service • • American Motorcycle Association •• Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails • • Athens Bicycle Club •• Friends of Strouds Run • • Athens Conservancy •• Friends of Van Buren State Park • • Athens County Planning Department •• FRMP • • Athens Trails •• Fulton County Visitors Bureau • • Bike Miami Valley •• FHWA – OH (Federal Highway Administration) • • Black Swamp Conservancy •• G.E. and Adams County Health and Wellness •• Buckeye Hills Coalition •• Buckeye Trail Association •• Geauga Park District •• Bucyrus Tourism and Visitors Bureau •• Glass City Crawlers •• Caesar Creek State Park •• Great Parks of Hamilton County •• CAMBA – Cleveland Area Mountain Bike •• Hueston Woods Mountain Bike Trails Association •• Indian Hill Equestrian Club • • CCIVC •• Knox County Park District • • City of Bryan •• KYOVA Interstate Planning Commission • • City of Canton •• Lake County Off Road • • City of Delaware •• Lake Metroparks • • City of Green •• LCMPD • • City of Hamilton •• Little Miami Advisory Council • • City of Hilliard •• Live Healthy Appalachia • • City of Napoleon •• Lucas County Saddle Club • • City of Oxford •• Logan-Union Champaign Regional Planning •• City of Sandusky Commission •• City of Upper Arlington •• Madison County Commissioner •• Clark County Park District •• Madison County Engineer •• Clark County Springfield TCC •• Marion County Park District •• Clermont County Park District •• Maumee Valley Planning •• Cleveland Metroparks •• MCD (Miami Conservancy District) •• Clinton County Regional Planning •• Medina County Park District
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•• Meigs County Commissioner •• SWAC •• Metro Parks of Butler County •• Toledo Area Bicyclists •• Metroparks Toledo •• Toledo Roadunners •• Miami County Park District •• Toledo Trail Riders •• Miami Valley Regional Planning Comm. •• Trail Users •• Middleport Village •• Tri State Trails •• Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission •• Trumbull County Tourism •• MTC •• University of Rio Grande •• MVMBA •• Village of Galena and DCFT •• MWCD – Pleasant Hill Lake •• Village of Montpelier •• New Franklin •• Warren County RPC •• Nimisila Neighbors and Homeowners Assoc. •• Wayne National Forest •• North Central Ohio Land Conservancy •• WCPN ideastream •• National Park Service Rivers Trails and •• WCRPC Conservation Assistance NW Ohio Rails to Trails •• West Chester Township •• Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalists •• Western Reserve Land Conservancy •• ODNR •• Wood County Park District •• ODOT •• Worthington Parks and Recreation •• Ohio Horseman’s Council – Chapters represented included: Adams County, Athens County, Butler County, Danbury Township, Fulton County, Licking County, Logan County, Madison County, Medina County, Morrow County, Noble County, Pike County, Preble County, Stark County, Summit County, Warren County, Wayne County •• Ohio Environmental Council •• Ohio Erie Canalway •• Ohio Quarter Horse Association •• Ohio to Erie Trail •• Ohio University •• Ohio Valley Trail Association •• Ohio/American Canoe Association •• Olander Park System •• Ohio Motorized Trails Association •• PathPedaler.Com •• Poeggemeyer Design Group •• Portage Park District •• Raccoon Creek Paddles and Oars •• Rocky Fork Headley Hunt •• Rust Belt Revival Trail Coalition •• Simon Kenton Trail •• Southern Wayne Advocacy Council •• Stark County Regional Planning •• Stark Parks •• State Historic Preservation Office
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Photo Courtesy of COMBO
Ohio Department Of Natural Resources